DOJ Files Suit Against Alabama for Improper Voter Purge

(DailyChive.com) – A recent lawsuit from the Department of Justice (DOJ) is making waves in Alabama politics, particularly targeting the state’s Secretary of State, Wes Allen. At the heart of the issue is Allen’s decision to remove over 3,200 voters from the rolls—just months before the next election. These individuals were flagged for having noncitizen identification numbers, which are issued by the IRS for tax purposes, often to people who aren’t U.S. citizens, including undocumented immigrants.

Allen, who took office in January, stated that his primary goal is to ensure only U.S. citizens vote in Alabama elections. He has gone as far as testifying before the Senate about this. After taking office, he worked quickly to clean up voter rolls, removing those individuals flagged with noncitizen identification numbers. According to him, this action was taken to protect the integrity of the election process.

However, the DOJ disagrees. They argue that Allen’s actions violate the National Voter Registration Act (NVRA) of 1993. This law requires states to stop making changes to their voter rolls at least 90 days before a federal election. The DOJ claims that Allen implemented his changes 84 days before the upcoming election, breaking the law.

Furthermore, the DOJ says Allen’s efforts not only targeted noncitizens but also mistakenly removed natural-born U.S. citizens from the voter lists. This has caused significant confusion and may prevent legitimate voters from casting their ballots.

In response, the DOJ is seeking a court order to restore the rights of those affected. They also want a plan in place to educate voters on how they can regain their right to vote and ensure local poll workers are trained to handle any confusion on Election Day.

Allen, when asked about the lawsuit, said he is committed to making sure only citizens vote in Alabama elections. However, he declined to comment directly on the lawsuit, as it is still ongoing.

This legal battle could have serious consequences as Election Day approaches, leaving Alabama voters in a state of uncertainty.

Copyright 2024, DailyChive.com