Justice Department Takes Action Over Alabama’s Voter Roll Purge Program
The U.S. Justice Department has filed a lawsuit against Alabama, accusing the state of violating federal law with its recent attempt to remove non-citizens from voter rolls just months ahead of the Nov. 5 elections. The lawsuit claims Alabama’s actions breached the “Quiet Period Provision,” which prohibits last-minute changes to voter registration lists.
Alabama’s Program Targets Non-Citizens
In mid-August, Alabama Secretary of State Wes Allen announced a new program aimed at removing over 3,200 non-citizens allegedly registered to vote in the state. Allen described the initiative as part of his duty to ensure only U.S. citizens vote in the upcoming federal elections, which include races for president, the U.S. Senate, and the U.S. House of Representatives.
However, the Justice Department claims the timing of the program violates the Quiet Period Provision of federal law, which mandates that states must stop making significant changes to voter registration lists at least 90 days before a federal election to prevent error-prone voter purges.
Federal Law Aims to Protect Eligible Voters
The Justice Department’s statement emphasized that the Quiet Period Provision exists to protect eligible voters from being improperly removed from voter rolls due to hasty and potentially inaccurate efforts. According to the department, both native-born and naturalized citizens in Alabama have received letters incorrectly stating that their voter registrations have been marked as inactive, placing them at risk of being removed from the state’s voter registration list.
Alabama Secretary of State Responds
In response to the lawsuit, Secretary of State Wes Allen defended the program, stating, “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.”
Impact on the Nov. 5 Elections
The timing of Alabama’s voter roll program has drawn sharp criticism, as it coincides with the lead-up to critical federal elections, including the race for president between Republican former President Donald Trump and Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris, a contest that is expected to be closely fought. The lawsuit raises concerns about voter suppression and election integrity as the state heads into the high-stakes November elections.
The case will now be reviewed in federal court as Alabama prepares for the upcoming election cycle.
