**Justice Department Sues Alabama Over Voter Roll Purge**

In an effort to prevent voter disenfranchisement, the Justice Department filed a lawsuit against Alabama, alleging that the state's attempts to remove over 3,200 individuals from voter registration rolls violated federal law. Federal prosecutors claim Alabama's actions occurred too close to the upcoming November elections and improperly targeted U.S. citizens, including both native-born and naturalized individuals.

The lawsuit, initiated on Friday, marks the Biden administration's first move against state-level voter roll purges. Alabama's Secretary of State Wes Allen, who is named as a defendant in the lawsuit, claimed that those identified for removal had previously been issued federal noncitizen identification numbers. However, Allen acknowledged the list might include some naturalized citizens, who were instructed to update their voter registration forms.

Allen's office refrained from commenting extensively on the pending litigation but emphasized Allen's commitment to ensuring that only American citizens participate in elections. The Justice Department's suit seeks to halt Alabama's voter removal program and reinstate eligible voters who had been mistakenly marked for removal.

Federal prosecutors argue that Alabama's actions contravened laws that prohibit significant voter registration changes within 90 days of an election, a period known as the "Quiet Period." These regulations are designed to minimize errors and prevent voter confusion too close to Election Day. An independent review by federal authorities revealed that Alabama's list erroneously included legitimate U.S. citizens.

Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke underscored the importance of protecting voter rights as the election nears, emphasizing the necessity for Alabama to address any confusion resulting from the improper mailings. While voting by noncitizens in federal elections is illegal and rare, the issue has gained traction among Republicans, including former President Donald Trump, who have called for stricter proof-of-citizenship requirements.

This lawsuit accompanies a separate legal action by civil rights groups, which accuses Alabama of intimidating and disenfranchising its growing immigrant population. Furthermore, federal prosecutors urge the court to mandate that Alabama send educational materials to affected voters, ensuring they understand their voting rights have been restored. They also call for training local officials and poll workers to prevent further confusion and maintain trust among valid voters.