DOJ Sues North Carolina State Board of Elections Over Voter Registration Issues
In a significant legal move, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has filed a lawsuit against the North Carolina State Board of Elections, alleging violations of the Help America Vote Act (HAVA). This lawsuit centers on the board’s failure to maintain accurate voter registration rolls and its inadequate response to recognized deficiencies.
Central to the complaint is a faulty voter registration form that incorrectly indicated which information was mandatory. Despite acknowledging the error and updating the form in 2023, the board did not reach out to over 225,000 registered voters lacking required identification numbers or make efforts to confirm their eligibility. This oversight has led to a previous lawsuit filed by the Republican National Committee, which sought to remove these voters from rolls or require provisional ballots.
The upcoming trial in February 2026 may shift perceptions, especially with a new Republican-led elections board now in place. Newly appointed State Board of Elections Executive Director Sam Hayes emphasizes that rectifying voter registration issues is a top priority, aiming to restore public confidence in elections.
Former Executive Director Karen Brinson Bell, however, argues there is a fundamental misunderstanding of the challenges, stating that many voters are still eligible despite missing identification numbers due to historical inconsistencies or errors in verification.
Concerns remain over the DOJ’s proposed 30-day timeframe for the board to notify voters about their registration status. Critics warn this might unfairly jeopardize voters, particularly if nonresponses lead to removal from the rolls.
As the next election approaches, the implications of this lawsuit could significantly impact voter participation and election integrity in North Carolina.
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