August 21, 2012
RICHMOND (August 21, 2012)- Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli issued the following statement after the U.S. Department of Justice granted preclearance (had no objection) to Virginia's new voter identification law. The new law will not only introduce additional forms of acceptable identification when voting, but also will change the procedure for those who vote and do not present identification. The law requires those people to vote provisionally and later present approved ID (current utility bill, bank statement, etc.) to their local registrar through email, fax, mail, or hand delivery to have their votes counted.
Virginia is one of 16 states under the Voting Rights Act of 1965 required to pre-clear (get federal approval for) changes in voting practices or procedures with the Justice Department.
During his tenure as attorney general, Cuccinelli has successfully precleared with the U.S. Department of Justice each change in election law and procedures, including the redistricting plans for Virginia's Congressional and General Assembly seats, and now the new change in Virginia's voter identification law.
"Securing our elections and protecting against voter fraud are critical components in preserving our representative democracy and the election process as a whole," said Cuccinelli. "I am pleased that the Department of Justice has once again precleared a change in election law that will help to defend the integrity of Virginia's democratic process and allow all voters to feel secure that their votes count and are not diluted by others committing fraud."
For a copy of the letter from the Department of Justice regarding this matter, please click here.
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