The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has filed a lawsuit against the State of Alabama and its Secretary of State Wes Allen, alleging unlawful voter roll removals ahead of the upcoming federal elections. The lawsuit, announced on September 29, 2024, claims that Alabama improperly removed 3,251 voters who had been issued noncitizen identification numbers by the Department of Homeland Security, violating the National Voter Registration Act (NVRA).
According to the DOJ, Allen implemented these changes just 84 days before the election, contrary to the NVRA's requirement to finalize voter registration list changes at least 90 days prior. Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke emphasized the importance of protecting voting rights, stating, 'The right to vote is one of the most sacred rights in our democracy.'
In addition to the affected noncitizen voters, the DOJ argues that the removals also impacted natural-born citizens who were mistakenly identified as noncitizens. The agency is seeking injunctive relief to restore voting rights for the affected individuals and remedial actions to educate voters about their rights.
Wes Allen defended his actions, asserting his commitment to ensuring that only American citizens participate in elections. He declined to comment further on the pending litigation.