Story highlights Alabama announced last week that it would close 31 locations at which residents can obtain or renew their licenses

Democrats, however, have charged that the decision to close the offices is politically motivated

Hoover, Alabama (CNN) Hillary Clinton used a speech here Saturday to slam Alabama Republicans, including Gov. Robert Bentley, for the state's decision to close 31 driver's license offices and require proof of citizenship to vote.

Speaking at Alabama Democratic Conference's Convention, Clinton called the plan "a blast from the Jim Crow past" and asked for Bentley and the Republican-controlled legislature "to not only listen to their constituents, but listen to their consciences."

"We have to defend the most fundamental right in our democracy, the right to vote," Clinton said. "No one in this state, no one, should ever forget the history that enabled generations of people left out and left behind to finally be able to vote."

The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency announced last week that an $11 million cut in the budget would force the closing of 31 part-time, county-owned satellite locations at which residents can obtain or renew their licenses. The state expects some of the needs of those who would have used such offices to be met online.

Democrats have charged that the governor's decision to close identification offices is politically motivated due to the state's strict voter identification laws and will disproportionately affect African-American voters.

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