Breaking News!! Alabama Secretary of State Removes Nearly $500,000 from ..

**Alabama Secretary of State Removes Nearly 500,000 Names from Voter Rolls Using New Integrity Database**

*By Emily Thompson*

*March 7, 2025*

In a significant move to enhance election integrity, Alabama Secretary of State Wes Allen announced the removal of nearly 500,000 names from the state’s voter rolls. This action was facilitated by the newly developed Alabama Voter Integrity Database (AVID), which aims to maintain accurate and up-to-date voter records. citeturn0search1

**Development and Implementation of AVID**

Upon taking office in January 2023, Secretary Allen prioritized the establishment of a state-based system to oversee voter registration accuracy. This initiative led to the creation of AVID, a comprehensive system designed to identify and address discrepancies within the voter file. The database integrates multiple data sources, including:

– **Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) Data**: To detect individuals who have relocated out of state.

– **U.S. Postal Service National Change of Address File**: To track address changes.

– **Social Security Death Index**: To identify deceased voters.

– **Agreements with Neighboring States**: To cross-check for duplicate registrations across state lines. citeturn0search1

**Key Findings and Actions**

The implementation of AVID has yielded substantial results:

– **Deceased Voters**: Over 5,000 deceased individuals were identified and removed from the voter rolls.

– **Out-of-State Relocations**: Nearly 40,000 voters who moved to neighboring states were flagged for removal.

– **ALEA Data Matches**: Approximately 130,000 voters were marked for removal based on ALEA data indicating out-of-state moves.

– **NVRA Process**: In February alone, 116,286 voters were removed following the National Voter Registration Act (NVRA) procedures.

– **Pending Notifications**: Over 700,000 individuals are set to receive notices this spring to confirm or update their voter registration status.

– **Incomplete Identifications**: Nearly 25,000 voters lacking a driver’s license or Social Security number associated with their voter record have been asked to update their registrations. citeturn0search6

**Transition from ERIC to AVID**

Prior to AVID, Alabama participated in the Electronic Registration Information Center (ERIC), a multi-state consortium aimed at improving the accuracy of voter rolls. However, Secretary Allen withdrew Alabama from ERIC upon taking office, citing the need for a state-controlled system tailored to Alabama’s specific requirements. He stated, “When I came into office, Alabama’s voter file was a bloated mess. Today, I am incredibly proud to showcase what happens when you roll up your sleeves and deliver results.” citeturn0search1

**Legal Challenges and Federal Intervention**

The aggressive approach to purging voter rolls has attracted legal scrutiny. In September 2024, the U.S. Department of Justice filed a lawsuit against Alabama, alleging that the state violated the National Voter Registration Act by conducting systemic voter roll removals within 90 days of a federal election—a period known as the “quiet period.” The lawsuit contended that the purge could disenfranchise eligible voters, particularly naturalized citizens who might have been erroneously flagged. citeturn0news12

Secretary Allen defended the state’s actions, emphasizing the importance of ensuring that only eligible American citizens participate in elections. He acknowledged the possibility that some individuals issued noncitizen identification numbers may have since become naturalized citizens and assured that those individuals could update their information to restore their voting status. citeturn0search3

**Public and Political Reactions**

The extensive voter roll maintenance has elicited mixed reactions:

– **Support**: Advocates for election integrity have praised the initiative. Jason Snead, a policy analyst, commented, “Kudos to @alasecofstate for creating a system that identifies ‘thousands of registered voters who are deceased, moved out of state or lack proper identification.'” citeturn0search5

– **Criticism**: Opponents argue that the purge could disproportionately affect minority communities and lead to the disenfranchisement of eligible voters. The Democratic Association of Secretaries of State criticized the move, stating, “BREAKING: MAGA Alabama Secretary of State Wes Allen purged HALF A MILLION voters from the state’s rolls—after ditching the ERIC system.” citeturn0search7

**Conclusion**

The removal of nearly 500,000 names from Alabama’s voter rolls underscores the state’s commitment to maintaining accurate voter records. While the implementation of AVID represents a significant advancement in election integrity efforts, it also highlights the delicate balance between preventing voter fraud and ensuring that no eligible voter is unjustly disenfranchised. As legal challenges continue and the 2025 elections approach, the effectiveness and fairness of Alabama’s voter roll maintenance practices will remain under close scrutiny.

*For more detailed information, refer to the original articles on StateScoop and the Alabama Secretary of State’s official website.* citeturn0search0turn0search1