The Department of Justice filed a lawsuit against the State of Alabama and its top election official, Alabama Secretary of State Wes Allen, for allegedly removing voters with noncitizen identification numbers from the election rolls too close to election day. Noncitizen identification numbers are issued by the IRS to ensure that people, including undocumented immigrants, pay taxes and can provide legal migrants with the ability to secure a driver’s license and proof of residency. Since being sworn into office in January, Allen identified and sought to remove 3,251 individuals registered to vote in Alabama who had been issued noncitizen identification numbers by the Department of Homeland Security.
In response to Allen’s actions, the DOJ argued that he violated the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 which requires any changes to voter registration lists to be implemented no later than 90 days before federal elections. Allen’s changes were implemented 84 days before the election, according to the DOJ. Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division emphasized the importance of protecting the right to vote as Election Day approached and stated that Alabama needed to address any voter confusion resulting from its list maintenance mailings sent in violation of federal law. The DOJ also claimed that the removal of voter registrations impacted natural-born citizens who were incorrectly identified as potential noncitizens.
The Justice Department’s lawsuit seeks injunctive relief to restore the ability of impacted eligible voters to vote unimpeded on Election Day. They are also requesting remedial mailings to educate eligible voters about the restoration of their rights and adequate training of local officials and poll workers to address any confusion and distrust among eligible voters accused of being noncitizens. In response to the lawsuit, Secretary of State Wes Allen emphasized that his constitutional duty as elected Secretary of State was to ensure that only American citizens vote in Alabama’s elections. He declined to comment on the pending litigation where he is named as a defendant, but reiterated his commitment to protecting the integrity of the electoral process.
This legal battle between the DOJ and Alabama reflects a larger debate about voter registration requirements and the importance of ensuring that only eligible citizens are allowed to vote in elections. The issue of noncitizen identification numbers and their impact on voter eligibility highlights the need for clear, consistent, and fair laws and regulations governing voter registration and maintenance of voter rolls. The outcome of this lawsuit could have significant implications for voter registration processes in Alabama and potentially in other states across the country. It underscores the need for vigilance in protecting the integrity of the voting process while ensuring that the rights of eligible citizens to exercise their right to vote are upheld.
As the lawsuit moves forward, it will be important to consider the implications of the DOJ’s arguments regarding violations of federal law and the potential disenfranchisement of eligible voters who may have been incorrectly removed from the voter rolls. The outcome of this legal dispute will likely have long-lasting effects on voter registration processes and the protection of voting rights in Alabama and potentially beyond. This case serves as a reminder of the ongoing challenges and controversies surrounding voter registration and highlights the importance of upholding the fundamental right to vote for all eligible citizens while maintaining the integrity and fairness of the electoral process.
