RALEIGH, N.C. (FOX Carolina) – The North Carolina Board of Elections has approved a strategy to ensure the state adheres to federal regulations.
The Help America Vote Act (HAVA) was implemented in 2004 and mandates that individuals registering to vote for the first time must furnish either their driver’s license number or the final four digits of their Social Security number. In cases where an individual does not possess either document, this should be noted on the registration form.
Before 2024, North Carolina’s voter registration form failed to explicitly state that numbers needed to be provided, causing some individuals to submit their applications without including this essential data.
The state board gave unanimous approval to a three-pronged strategy aimed at retrieving missing identification figures from individuals listed on the North Carolina voter registries.
In July, the board plans to mail approximately 98,000 voters who registered following the enactment of HAVA and lack this data in their records.
Individuals affected can cast provisional votes until they submit the required details.
This upcoming summer, 100 county boards of elections will examine active voters for possibly incomplete data and update their registration dates in the system for individuals who signed up prior to HAVA.
For upcoming elections, voters who appear in person but lack this information should use a provisional ballot.
I have always maintained my dedication to ensuring North Carolina adheres to the legal requirements," stated Sam Hayes, who serves as the executive director of the State Board of Elections. "I think this multi-phase strategy is the most effective approach to guaranteeing compliance." He added, "Our aim is to make this procedure as uncomplicated and clear as we can for those impacted voters.