Alabama Secretary of State Wes Allen is pushing back on an accusation from a local Republican Party chairman questioning whether he meets the state’s residency requirement for the office, arguing that he maintains an apartment in Montgomery and has done so for the entirety of his term.

The accusation came in a statement from Morgan County Republican Party Chairman Julie Clausen, who referenced recent reporting that Allen’s campaign paid legal expenses tied to a ballot challenge against his opponent in the 2026 lieutenant governor’s race, former Alabama Republican Party Chairman John Wahl.

Clausen attempted to draw a comparison between that challenge and Allen’s own residency status under Section 118 of the Alabama Constitution, which states that the Secretary of State must “reside at the state capital during the time they continue in office.”

“Does Secretary Allen actually maintain a residence in Montgomery as required by the Alabama Constitution,” Clausen asked in a letter distributed to media.

“And if he claims to have some form of residence there, how can he justify using residency arguments to try to disqualify John Wahl while facing similar questions himself? If Wes Allen believes residency requirements are important enough to spend $20,000 trying to remove a political opponent from the ballot, then those same standards must apply to him.”

Clausen pointed to public records showing Allen’s primary home, homestead exemption, and voter registration are tied to Pike County.

Allen, however, says there is no real ambiguity.

“I rent an apartment in Montgomery and have during the entirety of my service as Secretary of State,” Allen said in a statement to Yellowhammer News. “I have a lease on that apartment and have paid rent monthly for that entire time. As a matter of fact, I am at the apartment right now.”

Allen also directly addressed the core legal question at issue, noting that the constitutional requirement is for a residence in Montgomery — not necessarily a primary residence.

“The law requires a residence, not a primary residence, and I clearly meet that requirement,” Allen said. “My primary home is in Pike County, Alabama which is less than an hour’s drive from the Capitol.”