From the Bristol Virginia Democratic Committee
Today the Democratic Party of Virginia released a complaint filed in federal court asking a judge to stop a plan by the Virginia State Board of Elections, in coordination with Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli – who has a blatant conflict of interest in providing legal advice to the Board while serving as a candidate for governor – to purge 57,000 voters from the Virginia rolls.
Cuccinelli is the official legal adviser to the State Board, which has sought to eliminate voters that it says are listed as registered in multiple states. However, questions persist as to the accuracy of the lists provided and Cuccinelli’s conflict of interest in the matter raises serious questions about whether the planned purge would be carried out impartially.
In guidance to the local officials charged with carrying out the voter purge, the State Board urges those officials to “use your best judgment,” raising the real possibility of broad variance between different localities in terms of how individuals would be purged from the roles, which would violate Virginians’ right to equal protection under the law as protected by the 14th amendment.
“Ken Cuccinelli’s refusal to resign his office as he runs for Governor continues to damage Virginians’ confidence that this upcoming election will be conducted fairly and impartially,” said DPVA Chair Charniele Herring. “For him to be a candidate on the ballot and the adviser to a dubious effort to take voting rights away from 57,000 Virginians is an inexcusable conflict of interest that’s become all too common for the Attorney General.
“Today’s lawsuit is an effort to stop this questionable act until Virginians can be assured that it is conducted impartially and with proper consideration for the sacred voting rights of thousands of people across this Commonwealth.”
Lawsuit filed in federal court 10/1/13