Virginia Attorney General Announces New Election Crimes Unit
WASHINGTON, D.C. — On Friday, Sept. 9, Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares (R) announced that his office will create an Election Integrity Unit to investigate and prosecute election law violations. According to a press release, the new unit will “work with law enforcement to ensure legality and purity in elections.”
Election crimes are not a widespread problem in this country, yet Republican elected officials have dedicated time and resources to searching for such violations. In late April, both Georgia and Florida created new bodies or empowered existing ones to investigate election crimes. In reference to Florida’s Office of Election Crimes and Security, Jonathan Diaz of the Campaign Legal Center told The Washington Post: “My number one concern is that this is going to be used as a tool to harass or intimidate civic-engagement organizations and voters.” In fact, since the creation of the body, Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) has made a show of charging and arresting 20 individuals for illegal voting. Those targeted were formerly incarcerated individuals who erroneously believed they were eligible, or in some cases, were told by the state officials they could register to vote.