Gov. Youngkin Signs Election Security Order: “In Virginia, We Don’t Play Games”

Youngkin touted the new protocols, saying “every legal vote deserves to be counted.”

Published August 19, 2024

In Executive Order 35 signed last week, Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin codified election administration protocols that have been called among the most stringent in the country.

The order called for the use of paper ballots, the use of electronic counting machines rather than voting machines, and machine testing mandates.

JUST IN: VA Gov. Youngkin has issued an executive order to require all votes for the upcoming election to be cast by paper ballot.

Executive Order 35 requires the election security procedures to be put into place during Youngkin’s term.

That is prior to the 2024 Election. pic.twitter.com/qXX1jznhK1
— Kyle Becker (@kylenabecker) August 8, 2024

Youngkin’s directive orders the Commissioner of the Department of Elections to certify that these procedures to improve and secure Virginia’s election are conducted annually.

On top of the order’s details on election administration, illegal voter registration is also addressed. Youngkin provided measures to aid in cleaning up voter rolls, ordering the removal of “individuals who are unable to verify that they are citizens” when crosschecked with the state’s Department of Motor Vehicles data.

In touting the new EO, Youngkin said in a press statement: “This isn’t a Democrat or Republican issue, it’s an American and Virginian issue. Every legal vote deserves to be counted without being watered down by illegal votes or inaccurate machines.”

Youngkin also stressed a “strict chain of custody” for Virginia ballots, saying ballots are not mass-mailed and that ballot drop boxes are always monitored.

To prevent potential hacking, the Executive Order also includes the requirement that the counting machines are “never connected to the internet.” Internet connectivity of equipment used in elections has been a hot topic for several years. After a federal agency proposed rules to relax restrictions on internet connectivity, legislation was introduced prohibiting the use of voting machines with wireless connectivity in federal elections.

Youngkin received praise from former President and current GOP candidate Donald Trump for the order. On Truth Social, Trump said Virginia is being “superbly led by” Youngkin, whose order is “protecting every legal vote and keeping illegal aliens” from voting.

Local election officials are following the order, saying election equipment is being securely stored in preparation for early voting beginning on September 20^th.