A federal judge has ordered Alabama’s Republican secretary of state to reverse a program that purged over 3,000 names from the state’s voter rolls, citing a violation of federal law regarding the timing of such purges. The judge’s ruling in favor of the Biden administration and voters who challenged the purge program comes after Secretary of State Wes Allen announced the removal of individuals identified as noncitizens, despite the possibility that some may have become eligible citizens. The judge’s preliminary injunction will expire after the 2024 election.
The ruling is seen as a victory for voters and the protection of voting rights under the National Voter Registration Act, which governs the process for making changes to voter lists. It also highlights the ongoing issue of noncitizen voting, which experts say is rare and usually caught when it occurs.
Similar lawsuits in Virginia have also raised concerns about voter purges violating federal law, indicating a broader issue across multiple states. The ruling in Alabama underscores the importance of upholding election laws and ensuring fair and free elections for all citizens. Attorney Michelle Kanter Cohen described the ruling as a win for voters and emphasized the need to protect voting rights from last-minute threats. The case highlights the ongoing debate over voting integrity and efforts to safeguard the electoral process in the lead-up to the 2024 election.
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