The Justice Department has filed a lawsuit against the state of Alabama and its election official for removing voters who had been issued non-citizen identification numbers too close to Election Day from their election rolls.
A non-national identification number is a tax processing number issued by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to ensure that people, including illegal immigrants, pay their taxes.
In addition to paying taxes, a non-national identification number can provide legal immigrants with securing a driver's license and providing proof of residence.
After Alabama Secretary of State Wes Allen was sworn into office in January, he began identifying and removing 3,251 people who were registered to vote in Alabama and who had been issued non-citizen identification numbers by the Department of Homeland Security.
“I have made it clear that I will not tolerate non-citizens participating in elections,” Allen said in the past. in release. “I went so far as to testify before a U.S. Senate committee on the importance of this issue. I've looked into the file.”
Now, the Justice Department is pushing back and filing a lawsuit against Alabama and Allen.
The agency alleges that Allen violated the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (NVRA), which requires states to complete changes to their voter registration lists at least 90 days before a federal election.
Allen implemented the changes 84 days ago, the Justice Department claimed.
“The right to vote is one of the most sacred rights in our democracy,” Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clark of the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division said in a statement. “As Election Day approaches, it is important that Alabama corrects voter confusion caused by directory mailers sent in violation of federal law.
The Justice Department also argued that Mr. Allen's voter registration cancellation also affected natural-born citizens who were incorrectly identified as potential non-citizens.
The Justice Department said in a statement that it is seeking injunctive relief “to ensure that affected voters will be able to vote unimpeded on Election Day.”
The department also said, “To address confusion and distrust among voters accused of being unpatriotic, the department will also conduct remedial mailings to educate voters about restoration of rights and proper training of local officials and poll workers.” I'm looking for it.''
Asked for comment late Saturday night, Alabama Secretary of State Wes Allen told Fox News Digital: “I was elected Secretary of State by the people of Alabama. I will ensure that only American citizens vote in elections. It is my constitutional duty to do so.”
“For questions regarding the Department of Justice's litigation, the Department of Justice does not comment on pending litigation in which the Secretary of State is a named defendant.”
