The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has taken legal action against the state of Alabama, accusing it of improperly purging both noncitizens and eligible citizens from its voter rolls.

The lawsuit, filed last week, alleges that Alabama’s actions could disenfranchise voters ahead of the 2024 election and has prompted sharp criticism from Republicans, who argue the Biden administration is attempting to allow noncitizens to vote, as the Washington Examiner reports.

Republicans claim the federal government is trying to prevent Alabama from removing noncitizens from its voter rolls, while the DOJ argues that legal voters were also affected by the state's purge.

Alabama's Voter Roll Purge Sparks Controversy

The lawsuit was filed against Alabama Secretary of State Wes Allen on Friday. Allen, a Republican, had initiated the purge of 3,251 individuals from the voter rolls. His office claims these individuals were identified as noncitizens, with noncitizen identification numbers issued by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

Allen defended his actions, stating, “It is my constitutional duty to ensure that only American citizens vote in our elections.”

However, the DOJ contends that some native-born and naturalized citizens were mistakenly caught up in the purge, receiving letters informing them that their voter records were made inactive.

DOJ Alleges Violation of National Voter Registration Act

The federal government claims Alabama violated the National Voter Registration Act by initiating the purge too close to an upcoming election. Under the law, changes to voter rolls are prohibited within 90 days of an election to protect voters from being wrongfully removed. Alabama began its purge program on Aug. 13, just under 90 days before the election.

In addition to the DOJ's lawsuit, a voting rights group filed a separate lawsuit against Allen on Sept. 13, challenging the purge. U.S. District Judge Anna Manasco combined the two lawsuits on Saturday, and a virtual status conference was scheduled for Monday.

Federal Government Seeks Reversal of Voter Purge

The DOJ’s lawsuit asks Alabama to notify any voters removed from the rolls that their eligibility has been restored, ensuring they can vote in the upcoming election without fear of criminal prosecution. Furthermore, the DOJ seeks public disclosure of the steps Alabama will take to halt and reverse the purge, as well as education for election officials on proper procedures.

The DOJ emphasized that the purge had unintended consequences, affecting both native-born and naturalized U.S. citizens. In a press release, the department stated, “The Justice Department’s review found that both native-born and naturalized U.S. citizens have received letters stating that their voter record has been made inactive.”

Republicans Push Back On Federal Involvement

The lawsuit has ignited a broader political battle, with Republicans accusing the Biden administration of interfering with Alabama’s election process.

The America First Legal Foundation, a conservative organization, echoed these concerns, writing on X (formerly Twitter), “The Biden-Harris DOJ sued the State of Alabama for fighting to remove potential noncitizens and illegal aliens from their voter rolls ahead of the 2024 election.”

Wes Allen has remained firm in his stance, reiterating his commitment to ensuring that only citizens vote in Alabama elections. In a press release, he stated, “I have been clear that I will not tolerate the participation of noncitizens in our elections.”

Legal Proceedings to Continue

The case now heads to court, where the state of Alabama and the DOJ will argue their respective cases. The federal government maintains that the purge violated the law and could disenfranchise thousands of voters.

Meanwhile, Alabama officials argue that the purge is necessary to maintain the integrity of the state’s elections.

A virtual status conference was scheduled for 2 p.m. on Monday, where both sides were expected to present their positions. The outcome of the case could have significant implications for voter roll purges across the country, particularly as the 2024 election draws closer.

Conclusion

Alabama’s voter roll purge has sparked a legal battle between the state and the federal government, with Republicans accusing the Biden administration of attempting to protect noncitizens' voting rights and the DOJ arguing that lawful citizens were unfairly targeted.

As the case proceeds, the courts will determine whether Alabama’s actions violated federal law and what measures must be taken to address any potential harm to voters.