On Tuesday, the Trump administration’s Justice Department initiated a federal lawsuit against North Carolina’s election board, alleging violations of federal election law regarding voter registration applications. The lawsuit centers on the claim that the state has failed to ensure that such applications contain essential identifying numbers, as mandated by the Help America Vote Act (HAVA) of 2003. The Department of Justice (DOJ) seeks a court order to compel state officials to take necessary steps to resolve these discrepancies, particularly given that local elections in the state are set to commence in September.
The implications of this lawsuit are significant, highlighting an increased scrutiny of election protocols by both federal and state authorities, especially in battleground areas. Following a razor-thin margin in a recent state Supreme Court race, the outcome of this legal conflict could have broader ramifications leading into the midterm elections of 2026. At the heart of the case is the alleged noncompliance with HAVA, which requires new voter registrations to include either a driver’s license number, the last four digits of a Social Security number, or a unique state-issued identifier. The DOJ asserts that North Carolina’s voter registration forms have been unclear over the years, and the state’s election board has not sufficiently addressed these issues, potentially compromising election integrity.
While it remains uncertain how many voter registration records are affected, earlier estimates from Republican lawsuits have suggested figures as high as 225,000. In response to the ongoing issue, the North Carolina State Board of Elections had updated its registration form in 2023 but did not take proactive measures to reach out to voters who registered without providing the necessary identification data. Instead, the board opted to collect the missing information on polling days in a more informal capacity. The DOJ argues that this approach is inadequate and is asking for judicial intervention to mandate that the state contacts impacted voters within 30 days to ensure compliance with federal requirements.
The situation gained renewed attention after Election Day due to formal protests lodged by a Republican candidate for a state Supreme Court seat. This candidate disputed approximately 60,000 ballots, contending that they were cast by individuals whose registration records lacked the required identifiers. Following a review, the election board reported that around half of these voters had, in fact, provided the necessary information. Although state appeals courts criticized the board’s management of voter registration data, they ultimately ruled that the contested ballots should be included in final counts. A closely contested election resulted in Democratic Justice Allison Riggs defeating her Republican opponent, Jefferson Griffin, by a margin of merely 734 votes out of more than 5.5 million cast.
Statements from key officials reflect the tension surrounding this issue. Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon emphasized the importance of maintaining accurate voter rolls to guarantee fair and legitimate elections, demonstrating the DOJ’s willingness to take legal action against jurisdictions failing to comply with federal voting regulations. Meanwhile, Sam Hayes, the executive director of the North Carolina State Board of Elections, acknowledged the concerns raised by the lawsuit, indicating the board’s readiness to explore options for resolution, noting that the insufficient collection of required HAVA data has been recognized as a significant issue.
Looking ahead, the newly established Republican-controlled election board, reshaped by a 2024 state law that altered appointment powers from the Democratic governor to GOP State Auditor Dave Boliek, may adopt a different stance compared to its Democratic predecessor. As the lawsuit progresses through the federal courts, the DOJ is advocating for prompt compliance before the upcoming election cycle. If the court agrees with the department’s requests, North Carolina will have a mere 30 days to notify affected voters, gather the missing identification information, and update its electronic voter registration system accordingly.
