The Trump administration’s Justice Department just dropped a legal bombshell on North Carolina, suing the state for sloppy voter rolls that could undermine election integrity.
The Daily Caller reported that the lawsuit, filed Tuesday, claims the state’s Board of Elections violated federal law by allowing voters to register without proper identification, a move conservatives see as a critical step to safeguard honest elections. It’s a bold play, but will it clean up the mess or just stir the pot?
The Department of Justice accuses North Carolina of flouting the Help America Vote Act by maintaining voter lists riddled with incomplete registrations.
Many voters reportedly lack required identifiers like the last four digits of a Social Security number or a driver’s license number. This isn’t just bureaucratic nitpicking—it’s about ensuring only eligible voters cast ballots.
North Carolina’s voter registration form allegedly skipped asking for mandatory identifying information, yet those applicants still ended up on the rolls. The DOJ’s lawsuit demands these names be scrubbed to comply with federal law. For conservatives, this is a no-brainer: rules exist for a reason.
“Accurate voter registration rolls are critical to ensure that elections in North Carolina are conducted fairly, accurately, and without fraud,” said Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon.
That’s a sentiment most Americans would nod to, but critics might argue it’s a solution chasing a problem. Still, when voter lists are this messy, skepticism about “trust the process” feels justified.
The lawsuit points out that a “significant number” of voters lack any required identifying number in the state’s records. “Those violations will continue absent relief from this Court,” the filing warns. It’s a stark reminder that lax systems invite trouble, whether intentional or not.
Sam Hayes, executive director of the State Board of Elections, admitted the issue isn’t new. “The failure to collect the information required by HAVA has been well documented,” Hayes told the Daily Caller News Foundation. Sounds like someone’s been caught with their hand in the cookie jar, but Hayes insists he’s committed to fixing it.
This lawsuit isn’t a one-off; it’s part of President Trump’s broader mission to tighten election security. In March, he signed an executive order called “Preserving and Protecting the Integrity of American Elections” to enforce laws against illegal voting and fraud.
In May, the administration rolled out a new tool for U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, letting officials verify citizenship using Social Security numbers. The goal? Keep foreign nationals off the voter rolls. It’s a practical step, but don’t expect the progressive crowd to throw a parade.
The DOJ’s focus on noncitizen voting isn’t theoretical. In April, federal prosecutors charged two Ukrainian nationals, Svitlana Demydenko, 53, and her daughter Yelyzaveta, 22, with illegally voting. Turns out, actions have consequences, and the feds are watching.
Also in April, Akeel Abdul Jamiel, a 45-year-old Iraqi national, faced charges for voting in the 2020 presidential election.
These cases fuel conservative fears that weak voter verification opens the door to fraud. Critics may downplay these as isolated incidents, but even one unlawful vote is one too many.
In May, the DOJ alleged that Lina Maria Orovio-Hernandez, a 59-year-old illegal migrant in Boston, voted in an election after registering under a stolen identity. She’d been living in the U.S. for over 20 years, allegedly pocketing $400,000 in benefits. If that doesn’t scream “system failure,” what does?
Orovio-Hernandez’s case highlights how lax oversight can ripple beyond the ballot box. Her alleged fraud included rental assistance, Social Security, and food stamps, all under a false identity. Conservatives argue this is why voter ID laws aren’t just sensible—they’re essential.
“I was only recently notified of this action by the United States Department of Justice,” Hayes said, sounding like a man who just found out the test is today. He’s reviewing the complaint, but the clock’s ticking. North Carolina’s voters deserve clarity, not excuses.
The DOJ’s lawsuit could force the state to overhaul its voter registration process, a win for those who prioritize election integrity. But it’s not without pushback—progressives might cry foul, claiming it disenfranchises legitimate voters. The truth? A secure system benefits everyone, not just one side.
