Virginia Judge Grants Request to Extend Voter Registration Deadline Until Tomorrow After System Goes Down on Final Day

Yesterday, we reported how Virginia Democrats called for an extension of the deadline after an “accidentally cut cable” caused the state’s Department of Election’s online portal to be shut down for more than five hours on the final day of voter registration.

Late last night, President Trump tweeted out two local stories that reported on a lawsuit that was filed to grant an extension while urging Virginians to vote for him to “save” the “second amendment” which he said was “under seige.”

Virginia, VOTE for President Trump and save your under siege 2nd Amendment. https://t.co/V0AGM7gLaL

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 14, 2020

Vote for Trump. Save your 2nd Amendment! https://t.co/QYt5K7oYws

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 14, 2020

A group led by the New Virginia Majority Educational Fund filed the lawsuit and the hearing was scheduled for 9 a.m. this morning.

US District Judge John Adrian Gibney Jr. approved the extension and asked that the Department of Elections release news of the motion by 11:30 a.m.

Virginia’s Democratic Attorney General Mark Herring announced the news on Twitter, saying, “Judge says he will GRANT our request to extend voter registration deadline until 11:59pm on Thursday, October 15. Register to vote now!!”

🚨BREAKING🚨 Judge says he will GRANT our request to extend voter registration deadline until 11:59pm on Thursday, October 15. Register to vote now!!

— Mark Herring (@MarkHerringVA) October 14, 2020

Virginia Democratic Gov. Ralph Northam also tweeted out about the news and gave the link to where Virginians can register to vote as well as when the deadline was extended until.

BREAKING: Virginia's voter registration deadline has been extended until Thursday, October 15 at 11:59pm.

If you still need to register or update your information, you can do it online at https://t.co/fhp5mGEEAZ—you can also register and vote early at your registrar's office.

— Ralph Northam (@GovernorVA) October 14, 2020

Former Democratic Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe was quoted as saying that extending the deadline was the right thing to do to protect Virginians’ right to vote.

McAuliffe said, “With the new deadline to register to vote on Thursday night, it is important every eligible Virginian is registered to vote by the new deadline. There is too much on the line in this election and we need every Virginians’ voice heard.”