Trump administration sues North Carolina over voter rolls
The Trump administration is suing North Carolina and its State Board of Elections for failing to maintain an accurate voter roll.
The Department of Justice (DOJ) on Tuesday announced the lawsuit, which accuses the state of not doing enough to prevent voter fraud after using a state voter registration form that did not require individuals to provide identifying information, such as a driver’s license or the last four digits of a Social Security number. If the voter doesn't have either, the state must provide them with a unique identifying number.
The DOJ said the state violated the Help America Vote Act (HAVA), which was signed into law in 2002 after issues with voting during the 2000 presidential election.
The lawsuit also asks a judge to force election board officials to find a way to obtain those identifying numbers.
"Accurate voter registration rolls are critical to ensure that elections in North Carolina are conducted fairly, accurately, and without fraud," Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon said in a press release. "The Department of Justice will not hesitate to file suit against jurisdictions that maintain inaccurate voter registration rolls in violation of federal voting laws."
The lawsuit also refers to President Trump's executive order on elections signed in March, which ensures that elections "are being held in compliance with federal laws that guard against illegal voting, unlawful discrimination, and other forms of fraud, error, or suspicion."
The lawsuit echos similar accusations made by North Carolina Appeals Court Judge Jefferson Griffin (R), who conceded defeat to incumbent state Supreme Court Justice Allison Riggs (D) in a long-contested race for a seat on the state Supreme Court earlier this month after challenging the validity of about 65,000 ballots cast over various issues, like a driver’s license or Social Security number missing on voters' registration forms. Additionally, Griffin challenged 5,500 ballots from military and overseas voters.
Griffin conceded in early May, after six months, when a federal judge for the North Carolina State Board of Elections certified Riggs as the winner, though Griffin said he didn't fully agree with the outcome.