Alabama’s top election official is raising concerns about federal policies that he claims enable non-citizens to register to vote.
Fox News reported that Alabama Secretary of State Wes Allen criticized Executive Order 14019, arguing it allows non-citizens to register to vote, and calls for reforms to the National Voter Registration Act of 1993.
Allen specifically targeted Executive Order 14019, issued by President Biden in 2021.
He claims this order mobilizes federal agencies to facilitate voter registration for non-citizens.
According to Allen, the Biden administration is broadly interpreting the National Voter Registration Act (NVRA) of 1993 to be inclusive of federal agencies.
He alleges this interpretation forces agencies to act as voter registration entities, without strict citizenship verification mechanisms.
Allen’s office was alerted by a concerned voter who received a registration form addressed to a deceased relative.
His subsequent investigation revealed that Alabama state agencies, including those handling Medicaid and welfare, distribute voter registration forms to all individuals they interact with.
Allen emphasized that the 2021 executive order fails to implement robust verification processes to ensure voter registration forms are sent exclusively to U.S. citizens.
The Alabama Secretary of State urged Congress to overhaul the NVRA, advocating for state-controlled voter registration. He underscored that voter registration should be removed from federal oversight.
Allen highlighted the issue during his testimony before the Senate Rules and Administration Committee in March. He stated that state election officials have limited tools to ensure that only U.S. citizens are registered to vote.
In December, Allen's office’s attempt to cross-check Alabama’s voter database with non-citizen lists from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services was rejected. Instead, they were directed to use the Systematic Alien Verification Entitlements (SAVE) program, which Allen argues is not suitable for voter registration verification purposes.
Allen voiced support for the Citizen Ballot Protection Act and the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act, both of which require proof of citizenship for voter registration. He stated that election integrity remains a top priority in his office.
Noting local instances where illegal immigrants and non-citizens receive voter registration forms even when not approved for public benefits, Allen stressed the need for stringent verification protocols.
On the other hand, a spokesperson for the White House reiterated the stance that voting in federal elections is illegal for non-citizens. Receiving protection from deportation does not confer the right to vote.
Alabama law mandates the use of paper ballots and prohibits internet-connected tabulators during elections. The state also enforces a photo identification law requiring valid photo ID for voters.
Allen continues to champion "fair, secure, and transparent elections," echoing the concerns of many Alabamians about election integrity.
Some jurisdictions in states like California, Maryland, Vermont, and New York allow non-citizens to vote in municipal elections, a practice that Allen confirms is not in place in Alabama.
Conclusively, Wes Allen has called for reforms to the NVRA that would enable states to promptly remove individuals who have moved out of the state from voter rolls.
Allen described the administration's policies as “radical and lawless" and accused President Biden of using executive orders to win electoral support, particularly from Hispanic and Latino voters. He affirmed that it is critical to reinforce election laws, emphasizing that only American citizens should participate in U.S. elections.
Wrapping up his concerns, Allen asserted, “The federal government and federal courts have previously blocked efforts to verify citizenship. Now more than ever, these verifications are critical, especially in light of our current border challenges.”
As Alabama stands firm on its legislative measures for election integrity, the call for NVRA reforms continues to gain momentum among Republican election officials nationwide.
