The Biden-Harris administration has recently come under scrutiny for its approach to legal actions and transparency, particularly surrounding the issue of voter registration and the handling of Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests.
One of the most significant legal actions initiated by the Biden-Harris administration's Justice Department is against the state of Virginia. This lawsuit, filed on Friday, alleges unlawful removal of non-citizens and other ineligible voters from the state’s voter registration rolls. The Justice Department contends these actions violate the "Quiet Period Provision" of the National Voter Registration Act (NVRA), which prohibits states from engaging in systematic removals of voters within 90 days of federal elections.
The lawsuit is viewed through the lens of political motive, as it targets measures taken by Republican Governor Glenn Youngkin, who has been proactive about ensuring election integrity. Youngkin had previously issued an executive order aimed at improving election security which included the removal of over 6,300 non-citizens from the voter lists between January 2022 and July 2024. This initiative is described as complying with regulations requiring eligible voter maintenance.
Kristen Clarke, head of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division, stated, “The right to vote is the cornerstone of our democracy and the Justice Department will continue to make certain the rights of qualified voters are protected.” This assertion has sparked debate about what constitutes protection for eligible voters versus the rights of non-citizens.
According to the lawsuit, the processes laid out by Youngkin’s administration are categorized as systematic removal efforts, which the NVRA seeks to control in the weeks leading up to elections. The Justice Department argues this may confuse or deter eligible voters from participating based on inaccuracies or errors leading up to the election.
Youngkin responded to the DOJ's actions by affirming the legality and necessity of Virginia's voter roll maintenance. He emphasized the importance of maintaining integrity within the electoral process and described the DOJ's lawsuit as politically motivated, stating, “Virginians—and Americans—will see this for exactly what it is: a desperate attempt to attack the legitimacy of elections.”
While the Virginia case highlights the Biden-Harris administration's extensive engagement with the state's electoral practices, it also serves as a manifestation of broader claims of political manipulation and transparency issues within the government. Critics argue this legal battle is indicative of the administration's tendency to interfere with states’ rights and their management of the electoral process.
Beyond voting issues, the administration has also faced criticism over its handling of FOIA requests. Reports have emerged indicating significant delays, which some suspect are intentional maneuvers to defer transparency until after the election. This pattern has raised eyebrows among various advocacy groups and concerned citizens, as delays can inhibit public access to information on government actions, which is pivotal for democratic accountability.
The manipulation of legal mechanisms and the claims of transparency delays have fueled the narrative surrounding the Biden-Harris administration's commitment to upholding democratic processes. With both layers of contention — voter registration practices and the transparency of governmental action — the situation evolves, reflecting not just local, but national engagement with legal and ethical standards.
Indeed, the underlying principles at stake raise several questions. Will the administration's legal moves succeed against the backdrop of state governance? And how will these issues around transparency impact public trust? With the upcoming election season, these themes are vividly interwoven with appeals to accountability, the pursuit of justice, and the fundamental values of equity and representation.
