The North Carolina State Board of Elections and Ethics Enforcement is investigating alleged misconduct considering voter registration drives in several counties.
The agency received reports from Robeson County that some individuals told voters they must re-register in order to vote in November.
This is not the case, voters only have to re-register if they have moved or wish to change their name or party affiliation.
“Voters should check their registrations online,” said Kim Westbrook Strach, executive director of the State Board of Elections & Ethics Enforcement. “There is no reason to submit a new form unless the information is outdated.”
Similar incidents were also reported in Pitt and New Hanover counties.
The State Board also received reports of people being approached at their homes or businesses by individuals claiming to be county or state election officials.
Recently the agency has also investigated reports of falsified registration documents delivered to county election offices.
“The State Board will investigate all credible allegations of voter registration fraud by individuals or organizations,” Strach said. “When workers involved in voter drives falsify or alter information on registration forms, it can cause problems for innocent voters at the polls.”
The State Board of Elections has the following tips for voters:
- Check your voter registration status through the State Board’s “Voter Search” tool here
- If you are not registered or need to update your registration, applications are available on the State Board website and at all county boards of elections offices.
- Always ask voter registration workers to verify their identities and their organizations before providing any information. If an individual refuses to comply, do not provide any information and call the State Board office immediately at 919-814-0700 and ask for the Investigations Division.
- If you fill out a registration form as part of a registration drive, you may personally return the form to your county board of elections, either in person or by mail. You do not have to give the form back to the voter drive worker.
- County and state elections officials do not go door-to-door. If a person claims to be a state or county elections worker, ask them for identification, take down their name and contact the State Board office immediately