Will states be allowed to remove noncitizens en masse from the voter rolls during the home stretch of the 2024 election cycle? If the Biden-Harris administration gets its way, the answer is likely no.
On Sept. 9, the Department of Justice (DOJ) issued guidance seemingly threatening legal action against governmental authorities and election integrity watchdogs who might work with them to clean voter rolls, should they endeavor to do so within 90 days of Election Day. The Biden-Harris DOJ claims such actions would violate the so-called “quiet period” provision of the National Voter Registration Act (NVRA) of 1993.
Now, the DOJ has made good on that threat, filing a lawsuit against the state of Alabama that could have national repercussions. At issue is an effort initiated by Alabama Secretary of State Wes Allen on Aug. 13 — some 84 days from Election Day 2024 — to inactivate and seek to remove non-Americans among a population of 3,251 individuals registered to vote in the state but who have been issued noncitizen identification numbers by the Department of Homeland Security.
The feds had stymied efforts to obtain a list of noncitizens residing in Alabama, causing Allen “to approach the issue in a different way,” according to a press release.
Groups Sue Alabama
Acknowledging that some of the 3,251 individuals might have become naturalized citizens after being issued noncitizen identification numbers, Allen indicated eligible voters would be able to update their information on a state voter registration form and vote in forthcoming elections.
