DOJ, North Carolina Elections Board Reach Settlement in Voter Registration Lawsuit

The U.S. Department of Justice and the North Carolina State Board of Elections have reached a settlement in a federal lawsuit concerning incomplete voter registration information, specifically missing driver’s license numbers or partial Social Security numbers. Under the Registration Repair Project, voters lacking required identifiers will receive mailings requesting the missing data, with a second letter sent to non-responders by December 15. Those who fail to provide the information will be required to cast provisional ballots; these ballots will be counted in federal elections but may not be counted in state and local contests unless the voter subsequently provides the necessary identification. The agreement requires the elections board to submit progress reports through at least 2027 and mandates that new voter registration forms comply with the Help America Vote Act. Critics warn the settlement risks disenfranchising tens of thousands of voters, though the state emphasizes voters will still have opportunities to cure their registrations in person, by mail, or online. The settlement awaits final court approval and reflects ongoing political tensions over voter eligibility enforcement in North Carolina.