(DailyEmailNews.com) – In an effort to safeguard the integrity of the upcoming election, North Carolina’s State Board of Elections has taken a bold step by removing a staggering 747,000 ineligible voters from its rolls.
This decisive action has been slowly taking place over the past 20 months. It showcases the state’s commitment to keeping accurate voter lists and combating potential fraud.
As the battleground state braces for another tense election season, this purge raises questions about the impact on future voting outcomes.
The massive cleanup of North Carolina’s voter rolls saw around 1,200 voters removed each day from the start of 2023 through August 2024.
This thorough process addressed various issues, including individuals who had moved to different counties or states, dead voters, those with felony convictions and even personal requests for removal.
State Board of Elections executive director Karen Brinson Bell emphasized the importance of this maintenance effort.
“List maintenance is one of the primary responsibilities of election officials across North Carolina, and we take this responsibility seriously,” she stated in a press release.
With nearly 7.7 million registered voters remaining, North Carolina continues to be a key battleground, with close polling between Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump and Kamala Harris.
“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,” Brinson Bell added. “As we conduct these processes, we also must comply with state and federal laws and be careful not to remove any eligible voters.”
Removing ineligible voters is a common practice in many states before elections: Texas recently removed 1 million voters and Oregon removed 1,200.
However, Republicans have raised concerns about voter fraud, including a recent lawsuit in North Carolina arguing that the state failed to address complaints about ineligible voters on the rolls.
The GOP lawsuit included a claim that voter registration forms in Wake County lacked required driver’s license and Social Security numbers, highlighting potential vulnerabilities in the system.
“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.
The implementation of new voter photo ID requirements since the 2020 election adds another layer of security to the voting process.
“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,” Brinson Bell stated regarding concerns about potential fraud.
As absentee voting is currently underway, authorities are highlighting improved processes for voter participation.
However, the timing of several voter rolls and absentee ballot counting lawsuits filed against the North Carolina State Board of Elections suggests potential attempts to disrupt the election process and undermine trust.
Since North Carolina’s registered voter population has grown by 4.3% in the past four years, maintaining accurate voter rolls is crucial for preserving the integrity of the democratic process.
As America approaches this critical election season, it is essential to remain vigilant and support efforts to ensure that only eligible voters have a voice in shaping the nation’s future.
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