WASHINGTON, DC (LOOTPRESS) – The U.S. Department of Justice announced it has filed a lawsuit against the State of North Carolina and the North Carolina State Board of Elections, accusing them of failing to keep accurate voter registration records, in violation of the Help America Vote Act (HAVA).
According to the lawsuit, North Carolina used a voter registration form that did not require key identifying information, such as a driver’s license number or the last four digits of a Social Security number. As a result, thousands of voters were added to the registration rolls without verification, and many remain on the rolls without ever providing the required information.
The Justice Department argues this violates federal law and undermines the accuracy and security of the state’s election system.
“Accurate voter rolls are essential for fair and secure elections,” said Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon, who leads the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “We will take action against any state that fails to comply with federal voting laws.”
The lawsuit follows President Donald J. Trump’s March 25 executive order titled “Preserving and Protecting the Integrity of American Elections,” which directs federal agencies to enforce election laws and guard against illegal voting and registration issues.
The Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division is responsible for enforcing key federal voting laws, including the Voting Rights Act, National Voter Registration Act, Help America Vote Act, and others designed to protect the integrity of elections and the right to vote.
Voters or concerned citizens can file complaints about potential violations of federal voting rights at civilrights.justice.gov or call 1-800-253-3931. More information is available at www.justice.gov/voting.