Alexander Sammon
Updated on: October 14, 2024 11:39 pm GMT
In a significant update for the electoral landscape, North Carolina has removed over 747,000 individuals from its registered voter rolls, as announced by state officials. This action highlights the ongoing effort to maintain accurate voter registration in an evolving political environment.
Reasons for Voter Roll Removals
The North Carolina State Board of Elections stated that these removals occurred over the past 20 months and were necessary due to various ineligible circumstances. Some key reasons for removal include:
- Moving to another residence without notifying election officials.
- Failing to vote in the last two federal elections.
- Not responding to follow-up notifications from the government.
- Death or felony convictions.
- Requests to be removed from the rolls.
- Lack of U.S. citizenship.
Election officials emphasized that the county boards strictly adhere to policies to ensure only ineligible records are removed. They said, “The county boards follow careful policies to ensure that only ineligible records are removed, not those of eligible voters.”
A Growing Voter Base
Despite these removals, the overall number of registered voters in North Carolina remains impressive. Currently, the state has approximately 7.7 million registered voters. The Board of Elections added, “Meanwhile, newly eligible voters are constantly being added to the registration rolls in our growing state.” This growth is crucial as the state gears up for the upcoming elections.
Political Climate and Voter Sentiment
The political atmosphere in North Carolina is heating up as the state becomes a key battleground for the upcoming presidential election. Polls show a tight race between major candidates, with a recent Marist Poll indicating a tie at 49% between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump among likely voters. Moreover, 91% of those who made up their minds strongly support their choice.
Looking back, North Carolina last voted for a Democratic presidential candidate in 2008. Since then, the state has swung more toward the Republican Party, with Trump winning by 3.7 points in 2016 and a narrower margin of 1.3 points against President Biden in 2020.
Upcoming Election Details
Absentee voting has already started in North Carolina. The state began sending absentee ballots to military and overseas voters on September 20, with a deadline for ballot applications set for October 29. Voters need to ensure that their ballots are returned by November 5 to be counted. Notably, applicants do not need to provide a specific reason to receive a ballot, making it easier for voters to participate in the election.
Identifying Non-Citizen Voters
In an effort to further ensure the integrity of the voting process, state officials have identified nine potential non-citizens registered to vote in North Carolina. This initiative stems from a new law enacted by the Republican-led state legislature aimed at addressing voter eligibility more stringently. The ongoing efforts to maintain the integrity of the voter registration process are critical, especially given the vast number of voters in the state.
Looking Ahead
As North Carolina prepares for the upcoming elections, voter engagement will be key. With early voting beginning on October 17, residents are encouraged to participate actively and stay informed about their voting rights and registration status. The recent updates to voter rolls play a pivotal role in ensuring that the election process remains fair and transparent.
Removing 747,000 people from North Carolina’s voter rolls is a big step in keeping the elections fair. As the way we register to vote changes, it’s important to make sure that the list of voters is correct and includes everyone it should. With a close race coming up, every single vote really matters in this competitive situation.
