
Florida Sues Biden Administration Over Obstructing Voter Integrity Efforts
Florida is taking legal action against the Biden administration, claiming that the federal government is obstructing efforts to maintain voter-roll integrity by refusing to verify immigration records. The lawsuit, filed by Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody, targets the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas for their alleged refusal to help ensure noncitizens are not on the state’s voter rolls.
The core of Florida’s lawsuit revolves around its request to verify the immigration status of individuals identified as potentially ineligible voters. The state claims that the Department of Homeland Security has refused to provide critical immigration data necessary to determine the citizenship status of certain registered voters, hindering Florida’s ability to purge noncitizens from its voter rolls.
I am taking legal action against @DHSgov @SecMayorkas for refusing to comply with Florida’s demand to verify immigration records of voters and ensure voter integrity.https://t.co/QBVpdseQXB
— AG Ashley Moody (@AGAshleyMoody) October 17, 2024
“Attorney General Moody is taking legal action to ensure noncitizens are not on the voter rolls,” a press release from Moody’s office stated. The lawsuit claims that DHS is required to cooperate with the state’s request under federal law but has failed to do so, resulting in Florida’s decision to take legal action.
Florida Secretary of State Cory Byrd supported the lawsuit, emphasizing the importance of preventing noncitizens from voting. “The Florida Constitution is clear that only citizens can vote in our elections,” Byrd said. “We are going to prevail in our effort to uphold the law and uphold the Constitution’s guarantee of one citizen, one vote.”
This lawsuit follows other states, like Alabama and Virginia, also facing federal pushback for attempting to remove noncitizens from their voter rolls. The Department of Justice has filed lawsuits against both states, arguing their actions violate federal law.
Florida’s legal action is the latest clash between state governments and the Biden administration over election integrity, particularly regarding efforts to prevent noncitizens from participating in U.S. elections.