Alabama Secretary of State Wes Allen’s voter purge program, which incorrectly made thousands of residents “inactive” on voter rolls, has been halted by a federal court order. As a result, letters have been sent to reactivated voters informing them that they are indeed eligible to vote in the November elections. This comes after it was revealed that approximately two-thirds of the voters affected by the purge program were legally registered to vote.
The original purge program, which aimed to remove noncitizens registered to vote in Alabama, led to confusion and concern among voters. Some individuals even submitted forms to be removed from the voter rolls entirely. However, they were later informed that they could re-register before the October 21 deadline if the removal was a mistake.
Allen’s office has also clarified that reactivated voters will not face criminal prosecution, contrary to his earlier statement that the list of inactivated voters would be sent to the attorney general’s office for investigation. The situation highlighted issues with the voter purge program and the need for clear and accurate instructions from local election officials.
As the November elections draw near, it is crucial that all eligible voters have the opportunity to participate in the democratic process. Despite the challenges faced by those affected by the purge program, steps are being taken to ensure that their voting rights are restored and that they can cast their ballots in the upcoming elections.
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