Massive Voter Registration Purge in North Carolina Raises Eyebrows

Voter registration table with forms, pens, and information.

North Carolina’s State Board of Elections removes 747,000 voter registrations, stirring controversy ahead of a competitive election season.

At a Glance

North Carolina removed nearly 750,000 registered voters from its records over the past 20 months
Reasons for removal include moving, death, felony convictions, and personal requests
The state still maintains a robust voter base with almost 7.7 million registered voters
Republicans have raised concerns about voter fraud, including a recent lawsuit
New voter photo ID requirements have been implemented since the 2020 election

Massive Voter Roll Clean-up in North Carolina

In a significant move, North Carolina’s State Board of Elections has expunged 747,000 voter registrations over the last 20 months. This extensive clean-up, averaging 1,200 removals daily since early 2023, comes as the state prepares for a highly competitive election season. The reasons for removal include voters moving to different counties or states, deaths, felony convictions, and personal requests for removal.

Karen Brinson Bell, executive director of the State Board of Elections, emphasized the importance of this process, stating, “List maintenance is one of the primary responsibilities of election officials across North Carolina, and we take this responsibility seriously.” Despite the substantial number of removals, North Carolina still boasts a robust voter base of nearly 7.7 million registered voters.

North Carolina removes 747,000 from voter rolls, citing ineligibility https://t.co/qHeREOmtYq

— The Hill (@thehill) September 26, 2024

Republican Concerns and Ongoing Lawsuits

The voter purge follows a lawsuit by North Carolina Republicans claiming the state failed to address complaints about ineligible voters on the rolls. The GOP lawsuit included allegations that voter registration forms in Wake County lacked required driver’s license and Social Security numbers. This action is part of a broader Republican concern about voter fraud, despite limited evidence of widespread issues.

“By failing to collect certain statutorily required information prior to registering these applicants to vote, Defendants placed the integrity of the state’s elections into jeopardy,” the GOP lawsuit read. – Source

In response to these concerns, Brinson Bell stated, “Unfortunately, there is a lot of false information out there about our voter rolls and the efforts we undertake to keep them up to date. As we conduct these processes, we also must comply with state and federal laws and be careful not to remove any eligible voters.”

Ensuring Election Integrity

To address potential voter fraud concerns, North Carolina has implemented new voter photo ID requirements since the 2020 election. Brinson Bell reassured the public, saying, “We have extremely little evidence that individuals are voting in the names of others in North Carolina elections, and the voter photo ID requirement will help ensure this does not happen.”

“List maintenance is one of the primary responsibilities of election officials across North Carolina, and we take this responsibility seriously,” Karen Brinson Bell, executive director of the State Board of Elections, said in a press release.

It’s worth noting that voter roll maintenance is a common practice in many states before elections. For instance, Texas removed 1 million voters, while Oregon removed 1,200. However, the scale of North Carolina’s removal has drawn attention, especially given the state’s status as a key battleground in upcoming elections.

Looking Ahead to Competitive Elections

As North Carolina gears up for a competitive election season, the state remains a crucial battleground. Recent polls indicate a tight race between major candidates, including a close contest between former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris. Additionally, the state faces a competitive gubernatorial race between Republican Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson and Democratic Attorney General Josh Stein.

With the voter roll clean-up completed and new ID requirements in place, North Carolina election officials are working to ensure a smooth and fair voting process. As absentee voting begins for those still registered, all eyes will be on the Tar Heel State as it navigates these critical times in American democracy.