DOJ Accuses North Carolina of Violating Voter Registration Laws, Undermining Public Trust

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has filed a lawsuit against the North Carolina State Board of Elections, alleging that the state failed to comply with federal voter registration laws, thereby breaching its “sacred trust” with citizens. The lawsuit centers on the state’s alleged noncompliance with the Help America Vote Act (HAVA) of 2002, which mandates that voter registration forms require applicants to provide either a driver’s license number or the last four digits of their Social Security number. If neither is available, the law requires the issuance of a unique identifier. The DOJ contends that North Carolina’s election board failed to ensure these requirements were met, potentially affecting the integrity of the state’s voter rolls.

The issue came to light when the Democratic-led board acknowledged in 2023 that some voter registration forms were incomplete but declined to retroactively correct records for the 2024 election. The DOJ’s lawsuit seeks a court order compelling the board to contact affected voters within 30 days and update their records accordingly.

This legal action is part of broader efforts to enforce compliance with federal election laws and ensure accurate and secure voter registries. The outcome of the case could have significant implications for election procedures and voter ID regulations in North Carolina and potentially other states.

In response to the lawsuit, Executive Director Sam Hayes indicated the board’s willingness to comply with federal requirements. The litigation also follows similar efforts by the Republican Party, which estimated that approximately 225,000 registrations might be incomplete.

The case underscores the ongoing national debates surrounding voter ID requirements and election integrity. It also highlights the importance of maintaining accurate voter registration records to uphold public confidence in the electoral process.

As the legal proceedings unfold, election officials and policymakers across the country will be closely monitoring the case’s developments and potential ramifications for voter registration practices nationwide.