House leadership statement on court ruling extending voter registration deadline

Virginia House of Delegates Speaker William J. Howell (R-Stafford), Majority Leader Kirk Cox (R-Colonial Heights), Caucus Chairman Timothy D. Hugo (R-Fairfax), Majority Whip Jackson H. Miller (R-Manassas), and Deputy Majority Leader Todd Gilbert (R-Shenandoah) issued the following statement on a federal court ruling extending the state voter registration deadline Thursday.

“We obviously accept the Court’s order to extend the deadline but the entire episode was unfortunate, predictable, and avoidable. Local registrars attempted to warn the McAuliffe administration this was going to happen, and the General Assembly’s Privileges and Elections Committees attempted to bring these issues to light at a joint hearing last week. In both cases the Department of Elections brushed aside legitimate concerns instead of taking the prompt action that was needed.

“We remain fully confident that the Commonwealth’s local election registrars will conduct the upcoming elections fairly and smoothly, and that their hard work will ensure the integrity of the outcome. However, it is clear that local election registrars and the General Assembly have lost confidence in the Department of Elections and its ability to provide the necessary technical and support services.

“Governor McAuliffe should consider a leadership change at the Department after the November elections and the General Assembly should order a review by the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission when we convene in January.”