Payam Javan: A group of advocacy organizations has filed a lawsuit against the Alabama Secretary of State and Attorney General over a decision to remove certain naturalized citizens, who were previously noncitizens, from the state’s voter rolls. The lawsuit argues that this action, which affects over 3,200 individuals, undermines their fundamental right to vote by requiring them to re-register to vote in future elections. The advocacy groups contend that the removal targets naturalized citizens, including some U.S.-born citizens who were mistakenly removed due to faulty data.

The lawsuit claims that the Alabama Secretary of State, Wes Allen, initiated a voter purge based on noncitizen identification numbers issued by the Department of Homeland Security. Despite knowing that some eligible voters would be affected, Allen instructed the removal of individuals from voter rolls, claiming it was necessary to maintain accurate voter records. The plaintiffs, including several civil rights groups and individual citizens, argue that this action unfairly burdens those who have lawfully become U.S. citizens and risks disenfranchising them.

The Secretary of State’s office defended the move, stating that those affected can re-register to vote and will be verified to participate in elections. However, the lawsuit criticizes the state’s notification process, which allegedly failed to inform recipients of their right to vote in the upcoming 2024 election. The Alabama Attorney General’s office is also involved, reviewing the list for possible criminal prosecutions, further intensifying concerns about voter suppression in the state.