CNN —The Justice Department sued Alabama on Friday over the state’s recent effort to remove more than 3,000 names from its voter rolls, arguing the move violated federal law prohibiting such action from taking place too close to an election.
But in an 18-page lawsuit filed in federal court in Alabama, the Justice Department argued that the so-called voter roll purge ran afoul of the National Voter Registration Act, which governs how and when most states can execute large-scale changes to their lists of registered voters.
Nonpartisan election law experts say it’s almost always caught when it does happen, and that it isn’t a widespread problem plaguing US elections.
The new lawsuit expands the legal fight against Alabama’s actions, which had been challenged earlier this month by voters in the state, including several impacted by the purge.
“I was elected Secretary of State by the people of Alabama, and it is my Constitutional duty to ensure that only American citizens vote in our elections,” Allen said.
Persons:
Wes Allen, ”, –, Kristen Clarke, ” Allen, “, ” CNN’s Marshall Cohen, Ethan Cohen
Organizations:
CNN, The Justice Department, Alabama, GOP, Justice Department, Justice, Department, State, Department of
Locations:
Alabama
![Media-Cldnry.S-Nbcnews.Com Image Upload Newscms Scottwong.Png](/find/mix/0?q="Media-Cldnry.S-Nbcnews.Com Image Upload Newscms Scottwong.Png"){kind=link}