Virginia's Shocking Move: Governor Spanberger’s Bold Order Could Change Elections Forever!

RICHMOND, VA — In a significant move aimed at fortifying electoral processes, Governor Abigail Spanberger signed an executive order today that emphasizes Virginia's comprehensive approach to election integrity and security. The order mandates improvements in election security protocols and enhances cooperation among state agencies. A key component of the order is Virginia's reentry into the 26-state Electronic Registration Information Center (ERIC), a nonprofit organization that aids in maintaining accurate voter registration data.

Governor Spanberger’s executive order instructs the Commissioner of the Department of Elections to annually certify the implementation of robust election security measures. These measures focus on critical components such as ballot security, the thorough testing and certification of vote-counting machines prior to elections, and multi-level accuracy checks conducted by election officials. “I know it feels like it is always election season in Virginia,” Governor Spanberger stated. “With even more days of voting on our calendar this year, I’m acting early to strengthen Virginia’s transparent, robust voting process and protect the rights of all eligible Virginia voters.”

The order also emphasizes the importance of maintaining accurate voter lists. Under her directive, the Department of Elections must ensure that any program designed to systematically remove ineligible voters from the registration system is completed no later than 90 days before a federal primary or general election. This includes verifying evidence of ineligible residency or non-citizenship.

To further enhance the integrity of voter data, the executive order mandates that the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) share information daily with the Department of Elections. This collaboration will cover new eligible voters, changes in voter addresses, updates to existing registrations, and any cases of ineligible voters. After receiving the information, the Department of Elections is required to take necessary maintenance actions in compliance with both state and federal laws.

Rejoining ERIC: A Strategic Move

Another critical aspect of Governor Spanberger’s executive order is Virginia's rejoining of ERIC. This organization, which was founded in 2012 with Virginia among its initial members under former Governor Bob McDonnell, allows states to share voter registration and identification data. This cooperation is essential for efficiently identifying voters who have moved out of Virginia, updated their contact information, or registered multiple times in the state.

In May 2023, former Governor Glenn Youngkin removed Virginia from ERIC, a decision that complicated efforts for election administrators to maintain accurate voter rolls. By rejoining this consortium, Governor Spanberger aims to restore those capabilities and ensure that Virginia’s election system is not only secure but also transparent and accessible to all eligible voters.

This executive order reflects a proactive approach to election integrity in a time when public trust in the electoral process is paramount. Governor Spanberger’s actions are designed to facilitate voter registration and ensure that the rights of eligible voters are protected, while also putting measures in place to prevent any potential electoral fraud. “These actions are critical to allowing all eligible Virginia voters to register and cast their ballot, but to making sure that only Virginians who are eligible to vote are able to vote in our Commonwealth — this year, and in every election into the future,” she added.

As Virginia prepares for future elections, this executive order signals a commitment to not only fortifying the state's electoral processes but also to enhancing the cooperation among different state agencies tasked with upholding these standards. With the stakes this high, the move to integrate more secure systems and accurate data management is a vital step toward ensuring that the voting process remains trustworthy and efficient.

For the full text of Governor Spanberger’s Executive Order 13, click here.