This article originally appeared here, at wjla.com
RICHMOND, Va. (7News) — Gov. Glenn Youngkin has issued an executive order to bolster the security of Virginia’s electoral process.
Executive Order 53 looks to modernize voting system standards and enhance cooperation with state and federal agencies to ensure the accuracy of voter rolls.
Click here to view the PDF file.
It also instructs the Virginia Commissioner and Department of Elections to collaborate with federal entities, including the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), to secure data sharing and the prompt removal of ineligible voters. The order mandates the use of DHS’s SAVE database to identify non-citizens and requires participation in federal technology evaluation programs.
The directive also calls for the adoption of updated federal voting system guidelines (VVSG 2.0) into Virginia’s certification standards.
“Free and fair elections are the bedrock of our democracy. That’s why it is so important that we do everything we can to make our elections as secure as possible, ensuring that our lists are accurate and our systems are reliable,” Youngkin said.
The order also requires the Virginia Fusion Center and Department of Emergency Management to conduct a statewide election preparedness exercise before early voting begins. This exercise will test coordination, response plans, and communication across agencies.