Virginia creates voter protection section ahead of election

(The Center Square) – With Election Day three weeks away, Virginia’s attorney general’s office has created a section to investigate voter intimidation, improper registration removals and other barriers to voting.

Attorney General Jay Jones announced the Voter Protection Section on Tuesday. It will enforce existing election laws and review proposed election changes that could affect voters.

The announcement did not include a budget or staffing count. The Center Square asked whether the section will use existing employees or new hires, require additional taxpayer funding and change the office’s existing work.

Ajay Saini, the section’s chief, said its responsibilities include examining polling place changes, voter intimidation, discriminatory redistricting and improper voter registration cancellations. He also identified language access and barriers facing students, voters with disabilities and military voters.

The office said the section will also enforce laws against improper absentee ballot denials.

“This work now has a permanent home, and a team focused every day on defending voting rights and enforcing Virginia law,” Jones said in the announcement.