Republicans File 50 Voter-Purge Lawsuits, Claim 6,500 Noncitizens Removed Ahead of 2024 Election

Oct 15, 2024, 10:05 AM

In the lead-up to the 2024 U.S. Presidential Election, Republican leaders in several states, including Tennessee, Alabama, Ohio, and Texas, have initiated mass voter roll purges, citing concerns over noncitizen voting. This legal strategy has resulted in at least 50 lawsuits aimed at voter purges, with 12 specifically alleging that noncitizens may be participating in elections. The actions are seen as part of a broader effort to prepare for potential post-election challenges if Donald Trump loses. In Texas, Governor Greg Abbott claimed that 6,500 noncitizens were removed from the voter rolls; however, investigations suggest that this figure may be exaggerated. Additionally, at least nine U.S. citizens in Texas were incorrectly labeled as noncitizens or removed from the rolls due to a lack of response to citizenship inquiries. These developments are part of ongoing Republican efforts to assert that the election could be compromised by noncitizen votes, a claim that has been widely criticized as unfounded.