DOJ Sues Alabama, State’s Top Election Official for Allegedly Purging Noncitizen Voters Too Close to Election
The U.S. Justice Department has filed a lawsuit against Alabama and its top election official, accusing the state of illegally purging people from voter rolls too close to the November election. This action violates the ‘quiet period provision’ of the National Voter Registration Act, which prohibits the systemic removal of names from voter rolls within 90 days of a federal election.
On August 13, Alabama Secretary of State Wes Allen announced an initiative to remove noncitizens registered to vote in Alabama. Over 3,500 individuals who had been previously issued noncitizen identification numbers were flagged for possible removal from the voter rolls. However, the Justice Department claims that both native-born and naturalized U.S. citizens, who are eligible to vote, received letters indicating their voting status was being made inactive.
The lawsuit seeks injunctive relief to restore the ability of impacted eligible voters to vote on November 5. Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke stated, “The right to vote is one of the most sacred rights in our democracy. As Election Day approaches, it is critical that Alabama redress voter confusion resulting from its list maintenance mailings sent in violation of federal law”.
Alabama’s Secretary of State, Wes Allen, acknowledged the possibility that some of the identified individuals had become naturalized citizens since receiving their noncitizen number. He stated that these U.S. citizens would need to update their information on a state voter registration form and would be able to vote after verification.
Additionally, Alabama is facing a similar lawsuit filed by voting rights organizations and citizens in the state, represented by attorneys from the Campaign Legal Center.
