Department Of Justice Sues Republican Election Officials After Removing Non-Citizens From Voter Rolls Too Close To Election

The Department of Justice sued Alabama and its top election official on Sunday after Alabama Secretary of State Wes Allen (R-AL) removed thousands of registrants from the state's voter rolls ahead of the 2024 presidential election. The registrants were identified by cross-referencing non-citizen identification numbers from the Department of Homeland Security with the state's voter rolls. 

As previously reported by the DC Enquirer, voters impacted by the decision will receive a letter informing them that their voter registration is no longer active. While Alabama's top election official attempted to get the federal government's help by requesting a list of all non-citizens residing in the state, the federal government declined to assist. Secretary of State Allen explained that some of those being removed from the voter rolls are now naturalized citizens, and the process will allow those individuals to reregister to vote with the state.

"I have been clear that I will not tolerate the participation of non-citizens in our elections," Allen said in a statement. "I have even gone so far as to testify before a United States Senate Committee regarding the importance of this issue. We have examined the current voter file in an attempt to identify anyone who appears on that list that has been issued a non-citizen identification number." 

"This is not a one-time review of our voter file. We will continue to conduct such reviews to do everything possible to make sure that everyone on our file is an eligible voter," he explained. "I am hopeful that in the near future, the federal government will change course and be helpful to states as we work to protect our elections."

In response to the move, the Department of Justice took legal action, arguing in their lawsuit that the Alabama election official violated the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (NVRA), requiring changes to voter registration lists not to be made 90 days before Election Day. According to the DOJ, the changes made by Alabama took place 84 days before November 5. 

"The right to vote is one of the most sacred rights in our democracy," Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division explained in a statement, as The New York Post reported. "As Election Day approaches, it is critical that Alabama redress voter confusion resulting from its list maintenance mailings sent in violation of federal law." The DOJ claimed that Allen's action removed some naturalized citizens from the voter rolls and thus sought injunctive relief that "would restore the ability of impacted eligible voters to vote unimpeded on Election Day."

"The department also seeks remedial mailings to educate eligible voters concerning the restoration of their rights and adequate training of local officials and poll workers to address confusion and distrust among eligible voters accused of being non-citizens," the Department of Justice said.

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