An election officer training manual issued by Prince William County, Virginia, appears to instruct poll workers that people who show ID cards which are issued “only to non-citizens” may still vote if they fulfill additional requirements, none of which provide evidence of citizenship.
As the manual states, the Virginia Driver Privilege Card “is not acceptable because it is given only to non-citizens.” Driver Privilege Cards (DPCs) are issued to non-U.S. citizens who are unable to demonstrate any sort of legal presence in the United States, so most holders are likely illegal aliens.
The manual instructs election workers that people who show a Driver Privilege Card may still cast “a regular ballot if (1) they are in your pollbook and (2) have another valid ID or sign an ID Confirmation Statement.” Neither of these requirements proves the would-be voter’s citizenship.
(If the voter can’t even meet those requirements, Prince William County says he may “vote a provisional ballot.”)
Although positive evidence of citizenship is not required to vote in Virginia, the presentation of a card that is only issued to noncitizens suggests that person is not eligible to vote. It is a federal crime — across the entire United States — for any noncitizen to cast a ballot in a U.S. federal election.
By law, the DPC may only be issued to noncitizens who are ineligible for a regular license. Those who are eligible for a regular license include: U.S. citizens, legal permanent residents, conditional resident aliens, approved asylum applicants, noncitizens
