State Board Again Requests NCDMV Data Needed to Maintain Accurate Voter Rolls

State Board of Elections Executive Director Sam Hayes has sent a follow-up letter to North Carolina Commissioner of Motor Vehicles Paul Tine, renewing the State Board’s request for specific data needed to help ensure the accuracy of the state’s voter rolls.

In the letter, Hayes asks the North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles (NCDMV) to provide full Social Security numbers for registered voters who are also NCDMV customers. This information would allow election officials to match voter records more precisely against other government databases, identify duplicate registrations, and verify voter eligibility.

Hayes said the request is increasingly important as the State Board prepares for the 2026 midterm elections.

“Accurate voter rolls are essential to both voter access and election integrity,” Hayes said. “Full cooperation between our agencies will help ensure that only eligible voters are on the rolls, while reducing the risk of false matches that can undermine public trust.”

At its November 25 meeting, the State Board voted to begin entering into a Memorandum of Agreement with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to use the federal government’s Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) database. When finalized, this agreement will allow the State Board to verify citizenship status in limited circumstances, consistent with state and federal law.

Hayes noted that federal law supports the request. Section 303 of the Help America Vote Act of 2002 requires election officials and state motor vehicle agencies to share information as necessary to verify the accuracy of voter registration data.

The letter also references concerns raised earlier this year by Russ Ferguson, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina, regarding instances in which NCDMV examiners inadvertently processed voter registrations for non-citizens.

“We take these concerns seriously and are committed to addressing them responsibly,” Hayes said. “Working with DMV to strengthen data-sharing is one of the most effective steps we can take to keep North Carolina’s voter rolls accurate and lawful.”

Hayes said the State Board stands ready to work with NCDMV to ensure any data transfer is secure and compliant with all legal requirements.

About the State Board of Elections

The N.C. State Board of Elections oversees the administration of elections in all 100 counties and works to ensure fair, accurate, and secure elections for more than 7.6 million registered voters.