In Sept. 2014, the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency announced that it will close a total of 34 driver’s license offices across the state, a decision that would have a negative impact on drivers and residents. The closures make driver licensing and vehicle registration more complicated, as four offices providing DMV-related services remain open.
State Officials Cite Budget Cuts
The state of Alabama has cited budget cuts as the main reason behind the decision to shut down the majority of its DMV offices. The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency has issued a press release, stating that a series of budget cuts in the past have caused DMV offices to be understaffed, forcing authorities to close most driver’s license centers in the state.
Possible Violation to Citizens’ Rights to Vote
There are a number of opponents who argue that the closures were perhaps politically motivated. Civil-rights advocates claim that Alabama closed over 30 DMV offices in a bid to prevent a large portion of its population from voting in the 2016 presidential election.
This logic is due to the controversial voter photo ID law enacted last year. Because the new law requires Alabama residents to show photo identification, the closure of DMV offices will make it more difficult to obtain an ID or driver’s license.
The main issue that is bothering opponents of the closures is that the DMV offices in question are located in eight of 10 counties that have a predominantly black population. Black voters in Alabamara traditionally known to be in favor of the Democratic Party and vote for Democratic candidates in elections.
U.S. Government Launches an Investigation
Given that the DMV closures have entered the political sphere, it’s no wonder that the issue has prompted the Obama administration to launch an investigation into it. The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has decided to investigate the closure of 34 driver’s license offices in Alabama following allegations that the move might be considered as a violation of residents’ voting rights.
The DOT states that it will look into possible violations of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 by the state of Alabama. Title VI is especially important to authorities and civil-rights advocates because it prohibits discrimination based on race, color or national origin.
“Today, the U.S. Department of Transportation is making it clear that Title VI is not optional and that we will work to make sure all of its components are enforced,” Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx said in a statement. “Driver License Offices offer essential services to the American people, including providing thousands in Alabama with a method of identification. It is critical that these services be free of discrimination, and serve the people of the state fairly and equally.”
Alabama Governor retaliated by saying that the federal investigation is just part of Obama administration’s efforts for scoring more political points.
“This USDOT investigation is nothing more than a weak attempt to embarrass the people of Alabama and exploit our state in the name of a political agenda,” Governor Robert Bentley said in a statement. “I am confident that the USDOT investigation will find no basis for the claims of discrimination. It is time for the Obama Administration and aspiring national politicians to listen to facts, stop wasting taxpayers’ dollars and put the political agendas away.”
It remains to be seen how this issue will evolve in the coming months and whether federal authorities will be able to make Alabama reconsider and reopen the closed DMV offices. Nonetheless, the decision has caused a heated debate between Democrats and Republicans, and the way it will unfold might have a significant impact on the U.S. presidential race.