Voter suppression in Virginia
By The Central Call News Desk
Voter roll purges based on citizenship status have been a recent method of voter suppression in Virginia. In 2024, Governor Glenn Youngkin’s administration implemented a policy under Executive Order 35 to purge voters whose Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) records did not indicate U.S. citizenship. This led to the removal of over 1,600 registered voters, many of whom were naturalized citizens. Critics, including the NAACP and the League of Women Voters, argued the purges relied on outdated or inaccurate DMV data and violated federal voting rights laws. A federal court initially blocked the program, but the Supreme Court allowed the purges to continue pending appeals, raising concerns about eligible voters being disenfranchised.
Historical suppression tactics in Virginia include literacy tests and poll taxes. Until 1971, Virginia’s Constitution required voters to pass a literacy test—a tool used to disproportionately disenfranchise Black voters—even after the Voting Rights Act of 1965 sought to ban such practices. The state also enforced a poll tax, which was only fully abolished for state elections after the 24th Amendment (1964) and the Supreme Court’s 1966 Harper v. Virginia Board of Elections decision.
Deceptive practices have also occurred. In past elections, false flyers and robocalls misled voters about polling dates and locations. For example, during the 2008 election, flyers circulated in Hampton Roads claiming Republicans should vote on November 4 and Democrats on November 5. Similar misinformation was emailed to George Mason University students, falsely stating different voting days by party.
Indirect suppression methods include moving polling places to less accessible locations, such as relocating them from community centers to sheriff’s offices or areas not served by public transit. These changes, while appearing neutral, can disproportionately impact low-income and minority voters. Lawmakers have since advanced the Voting Rights Act of Virginia to counteract such practices and strengthen protections against discrimination.
City of Richmond v. United States, 422 U.S. 358 (1975)
The Richmond City Council attempted to annex part of Henrico County in 1965, seeking to annex approximately 145 square miles. This effort led to a lengthy court battle, and the city was ultimately authorized to annex only 17 square miles in 1965. However, due to a projected $55 million financial obligation, Richmond chose not to proceed with the annexation.
Additionally, Richmond had previously attempted annexations in 1942 and 1922, and also sought a complete merger with Henrico County in 1961, which was rejected by Henrico voters.
The primary reasons given for Richmond’s attempt to annex part of Henrico County in the 1960s were:
– **Urban expansion and a healthier tax base**: City leaders sought more land for industrial development and economic growth.
– **Preventing Richmond from becoming a majority-Black city surrounded by white suburbs**: The merger and annexation efforts were partly motivated by racial and political concerns, aiming to maintain white political control as the city’s demographics shifted.
Although the 1965 annexation attempt was initially driven by legitimate urban planning goals, later analyses, including court findings, indicated that **racial and political motivations** became significant factors, especially as efforts shifted toward Chesterfield County after the Henrico attempt failed.
