The Justice Department has filed a lawsuit against Alabama for its recent attempt to remove over 3,000 names from its voter rolls. The state's GOP Secretary of State announced the removal of individuals identified as noncitizens, despite the possibility that some may have become naturalized citizens eligible to vote.
The lawsuit, filed in federal court, argues that Alabama's voter roll purge violates the National Voter Registration Act, which mandates a 90-day quiet period before removing ineligible voters from the lists. The DOJ contends that the purge has confused and deterred eligible U.S. citizens from voting, potentially disenfranchising them just weeks before the upcoming federal election.
Studies have shown that instances of noncitizens voting in U.S. elections are rare and are typically caught when they occur. The Justice Department is seeking to reverse Alabama's actions to allow all eligible voters impacted by the purge to vote unimpeded on Election Day.
Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke emphasized the importance of protecting the voting rights of every eligible voter, stating that the DOJ will use all available tools to ensure voter protection. Alabama's Secretary of State, while declining to comment on the lawsuit, reiterated his duty to prevent noncitizens from voting in U.S. elections.
The legal battle over Alabama's voter roll purge has been consolidated in court due to its time-sensitive nature. The Justice Department's lawsuit aims to address voter confusion caused by the state's actions and safeguard the voting rights of eligible citizens.
