Election Law and Voting

Virginia Democrats have introduced House Bill 1442, sponsored by Del. Alfonso Lopez, that would bar 'any person' from enforcing federal immigration laws within 40 feet of polling places, election board meetings or recount facilities, a restriction Republicans say is unconstitutional under the Supremacy Clause. The measure comes as the new Democratic majority and Gov. Abigail Spanberger advance a slate of immigration‑related bills, and as GOP House Minority Leader Terry Kilgore openly accuses Democrats of trying to shield illegal voting, citing federal arrest and interrogation authorities in 8 U.S.C. §§ 1226 and 1357. A DHS spokesperson told Fox News that ICE is not planning operations targeting polling sites, but made clear that if a 'dangerous criminal alien' happens to be near a polling location during a targeted operation, they may still be arrested. The bill spotlights a growing clash between blue‑state legislatures and the Trump administration over how far states can go in walling off local spaces—including election sites—from federal immigration enforcement, and it is already being used in conservative media and online to fuel claims about noncitizen voting and 'sanctuary' election zones.