The Department of Justice (DOJ) announced on Friday they had filed a lawsuit against the State of Alabama and the Alabama Secretary of State Wes Allen to challenge a state program aimed at removing voters from its election rolls.
The DOJ alleges the program began too close to the November 5 general election, violating the National Voter Registration Act of 1993.
“The right to vote is one of the most sacred rights in our democracy,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “As Election Day approaches, it is critical that Alabama redress voter confusion resulting from its list maintenance mailings sent in violation of federal law. Officials across the country should take heed of the National Voter Registration Act’s clear and unequivocal restrictions on systematic list maintenance efforts that fall within 90 days of an election. The Quiet Period Provision of federal law exists to prevent eligible voters from being removed from the rolls as a result of last-minute, error-prone efforts. The Justice Department will continue to use all the tools it has available to ensure that the voting rights of every eligible voter are protected.”
Allen announced on August 13 that his office was implementing a process of removing ineligible non-citizen voters from Alabama’s rolls ahead of the November elections.
Allen said he was instructing Boards of Registrars in all 67 Alabama counties to initiate steps necessary to remove everyone who is not an American citizen from the voter rolls.
Allen had reportedly identified 3,251 non-citizen voters in the state as part of the effort.
According to the DOJ, the announcement was 84 days before the November 5 general election. The Justice Department’s review found that native-born and naturalized U.S. citizens had received letters stating that their voter records had been made inactive and that they had been placed on a path for removal from Alabama’s statewide voter registration list.
The DOJ seeks injunctive relief that would restore the ability of impacted eligible voters to vote on Election Day and prohibit future “Quiet Period violations.” The DOJ also seeks remedial mailings to educate eligible voters concerning restoring their rights and adequate training of local officials and poll workers to address confusion and distrust among eligible voters accused of being non-citizens.
Allen told 1819 News in a statement, “I was elected Secretary of State by the people of Alabama, and it is my Constitutional duty to ensure that only American citizens vote in our elections.”
“As to the question regarding the Department of Justice’s lawsuit, this office does not comment on pending litigation where the Secretary of State is a named defendant,” he added.
To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email caleb.taylor@1819News.com.
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