In a stunning move just weeks before early voting begins, North Carolina has removed over 10% of its registered voters from the rolls, raising concerns about potential disenfranchisement and the integrity of the upcoming election.
In a surprising announcement, the North Carolina State Board of Elections revealed that over 10% of the state’s registered voters have been removed from the rolls, raising concerns as early voting is set to begin on October 17. The board disclosed that more than 747,000 registrants have been purged over the past year through routine voter roll maintenance mandated by federal law.
According to the state’s election board, these removals include nine individuals flagged as foreign nationals. The sweeping action comes as part of an effort to ensure the accuracy of the state’s voter registration list, but the sheer number of affected voters has drawn attention and scrutiny.
The bulk of the 747,274 people removed were either recent movers or individuals who have passed away. North Carolina law requires that individuals who have not voted in several election cycles also be taken off the rolls, accounting for a large portion of the purges. Additionally, a small percentage of those removed were convicted felons or individuals who voluntarily withdrew their registration.
The voter roll maintenance follows a report last year from the Public Interest Legal Foundation (PILF), which revealed that more than 1,400 registrants in North Carolina had been flagged as potential foreign nationals. While most of these individuals were found to be naturalized U.S. citizens, over 1,400 remained flagged, with many on green cards, temporary visas, or under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program.
The findings have prompted calls for further scrutiny of the state’s voter rolls and the processes used to maintain them. Critics argue that the removal of so many voters, especially ahead of a key election, could disenfranchise eligible voters and impact turnout.
“Ensuring the integrity of our voter rolls is crucial, but it must be done carefully and transparently to avoid wrongful disenfranchisement,” said a spokesperson from a local voter advocacy group. “We urge anyone who has been removed to check their registration status and re-register if necessary.”
As early voting approaches, the focus will be on how this unprecedented purge impacts the electoral landscape in North Carolina. The state has a history of tight races, and with the removal of such a significant number of voters, both parties will be closely monitoring the potential fallout.
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