North Carolina to Contact 1,392 Voters Flagged by Citizenship Database

North Carolina election officials plan to send letters to 1,392 registered voters whose citizenship status was flagged in a federal database, the state election board announced October 13. The names represent about 0.02% of nearly 7.9 million voters on the rolls. The state is asking recipients to provide information, not announcing that all of them are ineligible.

Why the Letters Are Being Sent

Officials used the federal Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements database to identify possible mismatches. The board said letters will explain how recipients can provide evidence of U.S. citizenship or voluntarily ask to be removed if they registered in error.

A Database Flag Is Not a Finding

The people identified as potential noncitizens have not, simply by being on a list, been proven to be noncitizens. Errors and incomplete matches are especially significant close to an election, when inaccurate action can disrupt an eligible voter’s participation.

The Calendar Makes the Notices Immediate

North Carolina early in-person voting begins October 15, and the general election takes place November 3. The board’s notice is a new administrative step during an active voting period, so affected people should consult their official state notice and election office rather than rely on social-media claims about their status.

References: NCSBE to Send Letter to Potential Non-Citizens on Voter Rolls | Upcoming Election