The North Carolina State Board of Elections will send letters this week to 1,392 registered voters identified as potential non-U.S. citizens through the federal Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) database. SAVE is a federal database used by government agencies to verify immigration and citizenship status. The findings represent approximately 0.02% of North Carolina's 7.9 million registered voters.
The letters will provide registrants with instructions on how to voluntarily request removal from the voter rolls if they were registered in error or provide information verifying their U.S. citizenship. See a copy of the letter.
“Maintaining accurate voter rolls and ensuring that only U.S. citizens participate in our elections are fundamental duties of the State Board,” said Sam Hayes, executive director of the State Board of Elections. “While these registrations represent a small percentage of our voter rolls, one ineligible registrant is still one too many. We have a duty to enforce the law while protecting the rights of every eligible legitimate voter.”
Earlier this year, the Department of Homeland Security identified nearly 1,600 potential non-citizens on the voter rolls. However, further comparisons with the SAVE database, combined with additional reviews by the State Board and checks against state DMV records, have reduced that number.
In July, the State Board announced that it would review potentially ineligible registrations before initiating any removal proceedings. The mailing represents the next step in that process.
On September 25, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a ruling allowing continued use of the SAVE database for voter list maintenance purposes while litigation proceeds. The State Board will continue utilizing available federal citizenship verification tools consistent with applicable law.
Verification and Review Process
Inclusion on the SAVE database does not necessarily mean an individual is ineligible to vote. Citizenship information may be incomplete or outdated, particularly for individuals who have become naturalized U.S. citizens. This is why the State Board conducts a review of available records when receiving data back from the SAVE database.
Once data is returned from SAVE, the State Board conducts additional reviews. This includes checking voter records to see if a registrant previously showed a U.S. passport when voting or provided citizenship documents to the N.C. Division of Motor Vehicles.
When available records do not establish citizenship, the registrant will be asked to provide corrected or updated information before any removal proceedings are initiated.
Protecting Eligible Voters
No voter will be automatically removed from the voter rolls based solely on information obtained through SAVE. Any removal proceedings must comply with applicable state and federal laws, including requirements for notice and due process.
Individuals who receive a letter and believe they have been identified in error should follow the instructions provided and contact the State Board to resolve any discrepancy
Receiving a letter does not cancel an individual's voter registration or automatically prevent an otherwise eligible voter from participating in the November 3 general election. Any voter challenge or determination of ineligibility must follow the procedures established under North Carolina and federal law.
Public Information and Transparency
The State Board will provide information about the review process while protecting individual registrants' information and the integrity of any ongoing investigations or eligibility reviews.
The State Board will continue to review citizenship information, resolve discrepancies, and maintain accurate voter registration records ahead of the election.
For additional information about the SAVE verification process and voter list maintenance, visit Maintaining Accurate Voter Rolls.