Appeals Court Weighs Challenge to Voter Registrations in North Carolina
RICHMOND, VA — A pivotal decision from a three-judge federal Appeals Court panel is pending, centering on a contentious lawsuit that challenges the legitimacy of 225,000 voter registrations in North Carolina. The case, initiated by state and national Republican organizations against the North Carolina State Board of Elections, raises significant concerns about election integrity in a state gearing up for high-stakes voting.
During a hearing, Chief Judge Albert Diaz assured that a ruling will be expedited. The Republican National Committee and the North Carolina Republican Party are advocating for the removal of voters who registered using an outdated form that did not require essential identification details, arguing this violates the federal Help America Vote Act (HAVA).
While U.S. District Judge Richard Myers dismissed portions of the GOP’s case on Oct. 17, he notably allowed a claim based on the North Carolina Constitution to return to state court. The Democratic National Committee and the elections board opposed this return, asserting that federal jurisdiction is necessary, particularly given the urgency of the upcoming election.
North Carolina Deputy Attorney General Sarah Boyce emphasized that the GOP’s argument hinges on proving a violation of federal law, which would undermine their claims about vote dilution. DNC lawyer Seth Waxman criticized the GOP’s lack of evidence supporting allegations of ineligible voters among the challenged registrations.
Republican attorney Phil Strach acknowledged the lawsuit targets only voters lacking proper identification and maintains that they simply seek to ensure eligibility verification without disenfranchising any qualified voters. The court’s deliberations touch on complex issues of federal and state rights as they navigate the tension between voter access and election integrity.
Myers had previously stated that enforcing compliance with HAVA is not the role of federal courts when no clear statutory allowance for such exists, placing the onus on state courts to resolve constitutional claims.
With the election just days away, the outcome of this legal battle remains critical in shaping the voting landscape in North Carolina.
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