Staff Reports
Former President Donald Trump has given a big thumbs-up to Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin’s recent executive order aimed at beefing up election security in a state that hasn’t seen a Republican presidential candidate win in two decades. On a mission to flip Virginia back to red this November, Youngkin has rolled out several measures, such as testing counting machines, stepping up ballot security, and tightening up voter list maintenance. Trump took to social media to express his approval, asserting that these moves are crucial for keeping non-citizens off the voter rolls in swing-state Virginia.
The ex-president hailed the executive order as a bold step for the Commonwealth, declaring that Youngkin’s leadership is setting an example for election integrity. Trump’s post, brimming with enthusiasm, emphasized the importance of protecting legal votes while preventing “illegal aliens”—as he referred to them—from meddling in the electoral process. It’s a straightforward take on a complicated issue that makes clear where Trump stands: every legal vote matters, and it’s time to guarantee they remain untainted by outside influences.
Governor @GlennYoungkin: “Virginia is in play — it’s neck and neck right now. We got work to do, but Virginia is ready to elect Donald Trump the next president of the United States." pic.twitter.com/y1eRydWkE5
— Team Youngkin – Spirit of Virginia (@TeamYoungkin) July 17, 2024
Political analysts are buzzing with excitement, murmuring that this might be the year a Republican can actually snag the votes in the Old Dominion. With both the Trump and DeSantis campaigns staffing at least 30 election offices in Virginia, the GOP is clearly going all in. Youngkin himself got the crowd riled up in July, remarking that the state is “in play” and even hinted at Trump’s potential comeback as the next president. The stakes couldn’t be higher as the Virginia GOP makes a concerted effort to reclaim territory deemed by many as historically blue.
While there has been no substantial evidence of widespread voter fraud or security lapses in the preceding elections, this hasn’t deterred Trump from sounding the alarm over the necessity for greater vigilance in future elections. He has been vocal about insisting that elections should be fair and secure—challenging every state to follow Virginia’s lead, with a call for volunteers to oversee polling places. The push for paper ballots over internet-connected machines has been framed as a no-brainer for maintaining secure elections, highlighting the consistent conservative mantra of keeping voting processes transparent.
Now, the relationship between Trump and Youngkin could be described as a classic “frenemies” situation. Before Youngkin secured his gubernatorial victory, speculation swirled around him possibly becoming a contender against Trump. Despite the occasional jab exchanged on social media, both leading figures seem to be on the same page now, aiming for a common goal of securing a win in the upcoming election. Youngkin, having proven himself in 2022, has thrown his support firmly behind Trump, vowing to ensure the 2024 election in Virginia is both safe and secure.
Amidst the buzz, some in the political world remain skeptical about Virginia’s “Likely Democratic” rating by the Cook Political Report. However, with Youngkin leading the charge and Trump rallying support, the GOP seems determined to change the narrative this fall. The stage is set for a showdown, with both sides gearing up for what could be one of the most riveting election cycles in recent memory.
