The Justice Department filed a lawsuit against Alabama over the state’s attempt to remove over 3,000 names from voter rolls shortly before the upcoming election. Alabama Secretary of State, Wes Allen, had begun the process of removing individuals previously identified as noncitizens, but the DOJ argued this violated federal law governing voter registration changes. The lawsuit stated that eligible voters could be disenfranchised, and criticized Alabama’s actions as potentially confusing and error-prone.
Studies have shown that noncitizen voting is rare and usually caught when it occurs, but the DOJ is pushing for eligible voters impacted by the purge to be able to vote on Election Day. The legal fight against Alabama’s actions had already been challenged by voters in the state, and the cases have been consolidated for efficiency. Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke emphasized the importance of protecting the voting rights of eligible voters.
Alabama’s Secretary of State did not comment on the lawsuit, but stated that his duty was to prevent noncitizens from voting in US elections. The DOJ is seeking to reverse Alabama’s actions and ensure that eligible voters can vote unimpeded. This legal battle highlights concerns about voter disenfranchisement and the need to protect the rights of all eligible voters as the election approaches.
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