Esternita Watkins, a naturalized American citizen residing in Alabama, was excited to exercise her right to vote in the upcoming presidential election after obtaining citizenship nearly two years ago. However, her voter registration was flagged by Alabama Secretary of State Wes Allen due to a noncitizen identification number, resulting in the deactivation of her registration. Watkins was required to re-register in order to vote in November.
This incident reflects a broader trend among Republican officials who are cracking down on noncitizen voting, despite the fact that voting by noncitizens is rare. The process initiated by Allen flagged over 3,000 voter registrations for removal based on noncitizen identification numbers, potentially impacting thousands of naturalized citizens in the state. Voting rights advocates argue that this voter roll purge disproportionately targets naturalized citizens and constitutes voter suppression.
Watkins was frustrated by the ordeal and felt that having to prove her citizenship again was unnecessary and burdensome, especially since she had already provided documentation when registering two years ago. Her husband, Christopher Watkins, questioned the validity of the process, as Esternita had been erroneously flagged for a traffic violation even though she doesn’t drive.
Efforts to challenge Allen’s process have been met with resistance, as he has refused to halt the voter roll purge despite legal challenges from voting rights groups. He defended his actions, claiming that requests for assistance from the federal government were denied, leading to the development of the controversial process.
Overall, the incident involving Esternita Watkins highlights the challenges faced by naturalized citizens in navigating the voting process and the importance of protecting their right to vote without unnecessary barriers.
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