The Supreme Court allows Virginia to resume purges of voter registrations

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court on Wednesday allowed Virginia to resume a purge of voter registrations that the state says is aimed at keeping people who are not U.S. citizens from voting.

The judges granted an emergency appeal from the Republican government of Virginia. The justices acted on the state’s emergency declaration after a federal judge found that the state had illegally deleted more than 1,600 voter registrations over the past two months. A federal appeals court had previously allowed the judge’s order to remain in effect.

Such sentiments are rare in U.S. elections, but the specter of immigrants voting illegally has been a key part of political messaging from former President Donald Trump and other Republicans this year.