AFPI launches multi-part investigation into VA redistricting amendment

Washington, DC — A Virginia Court has blocked the certification of votes on Virginia’s redistricting amendment based on rules violations. But the fight for true fairness and justice in the Virginia redistricting effort is not over. 

The America First Policy Institute’s legal team is launching a multi-part investigation to ensure Virginia residents know the truth about what happened and safeguard election integrity.

The first part of the investigation is a records request to several Virginia counties in the wake of reports of unusual mail in ballot procedures. The investigation asks election officials to turn over all communications relating to how mail-in and absentee ballots were administered in this election: how applications were processed, how ballots were distributed and accepted, how they were stored, and what guidance officials were operating under. These are public records. Virginia law requires that they be produced. If the process was fair, these records will show it.

The second step is a records request to Fairfax County Public Schools regarding civics class lessons and materials that may have violated state and federal law as well as school district policy. Some parents say teachers of the Civics classes in question inappropriately commented on parents’ political beliefs, and went so far as to urge students to persuade their parents to vote a certain way on the referendum. Public school classrooms and school resources are paid for by taxpayers, and several laws prohibit politically biased instruction and political advocacy.

The final measure is a letter to the superintendent of Fairfax County Public Schools urging her to investigate the highly concerning reports of partisan voter influence by public school teachers. Parents and taxpayers deserve to know what happened in classrooms leading up to the redistricting vote. If partisan activity is found, serious consequences should follow.

“The questions we’re asking aren’t complicated,” said Leigh Ann O’Neil, AFPI’s chief legal affairs officer. “Was the election conducted according to state and federal law? Did teachers improperly turn students into a private grassroots army? And, if so, what will the school district do about it? These are basic questions that demand answers no matter how you voted on Tuesday.”

Leigh Ann O’Neill is the Chief Legal Affairs Officer for AFPI and is available for interviews about our investigation. Click here to schedule an interview.