Why Now and What Comes Next?

North Carolina's Voter Rolls Under Scrutiny

Last Monday, the North Carolina State Board of Elections (NCSBE) revealed it had found about 34,000 deceased individuals still listed on the state’s voter rolls. This discovery came after comparing voter records with a federal database. The question many are asking is why these names remained on the rolls for so long and why this issue is only coming to light now.

One key reason is that the board is now overseen by the Republican State Auditor, Dave Boliek, rather than the Democrat governor. State Auditor, Dave Boliek has prioritized cleaning up voter rolls, which explains the recent discovery.

Another factor involves federal legal pressure. Last year, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) sued North Carolina for violating the Help America Vote Act (HAVA). The state did not require voters to provide a driver’s license number or the last four digits of their Social Security number when registering. This lack of identification requirements made it easier for outdated or inaccurate records to remain on the rolls.

Following the DOJ lawsuit, the NCSBE submitted nearly 7.4 million voter records to the federal Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) database. This system checks voters’ names, birthdates, and partial Social Security numbers against Social Security Administration records to verify eligibility.

In April, the NCSBE voted along party lines, 3-2, to use the SAVE database to identify non-citizen voters on the rolls. The two opposing votes came from Democrats. This decision equips counties with the tools and procedures to detect and remove non-citizen voters, a step that aligns with federal efforts to safeguard voter eligibility.

North Carolina is already ahead of many states in using federal databases to verify voter eligibility. The federal SAVE Act, which Senate Republicans have yet to pass, would require all states to use similar verification methods. North Carolina’s proactive approach shows a commitment to election integrity.

North Carolina is not alone in facing scrutiny over voter rolls. The DOJ is currently suing about 30 states and the District of Columbia for refusing to share complete voter roll data.

Moving forward, North Carolina will continue refining its voter roll maintenance processes. Counties now have better tools to identify ineligible voters, including deceased individuals and non-citizens. The state must also consider tightening voter ID laws to close remaining gaps.

The discovery of thousands of deceased voters on North Carolina’s rolls raises important questions about election oversight and voter verification. Political shifts, federal lawsuits, and new database tools have all contributed to this moment of scrutiny. While challenges remain, the state’s efforts to clean up voter rolls and verify eligibility mark a step toward stronger election integrity.

As North Carolina moves forward, the focus must remain on ensuring that every eligible voter can participate while preventing errors and fraud. This balance is essential for maintaining confidence in the electoral process and protecting the right to vote.