ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — State elections officials are investigating reports of misconduct tied to voter registration drives in several North Carolina counties, including Buncombe County, amid allegations that some workers misrepresented themselves and submitted inaccurate forms.
The North Carolina State Board of Elections said investigators are reviewing complaints that individuals conducting voter registration drives falsely told residents they must re-register to vote in future elections and, in some cases, impersonated state or county election officials.
Buncombe County is among at least seven counties where complaints have been reported in recent months, along with Brunswick, Chowan, Haywood, Nash, Scotland and Wake counties.
According to the state board, some workers involved in registration drives have gone door-to-door claiming to be county or state election employees. Officials emphasized that government election workers do not conduct door-to-door outreach for any reason.
Other complaints allege that voter registration applications submitted to county boards of elections were missing required information or included inaccurate details, such as incorrect dates of birth or voter identification numbers that did not match records in the state’s election system. Falsifying a voter registration form is a Class I felony under North Carolina law.
“The State Board will investigate all credible allegations of voter registration fraud by individuals or organizations,” Executive Director Sam Hayes said in a statement. “When workers involved in voter drives falsify or alter information on registration forms, it can cause problems for innocent voters at the polls. This is unacceptable and hurts voter confidence.”
In Buncombe County, local elections officials are urging voters to verify their registration status directly through the state’s online voter search tool. Voters who are already registered do not need to re-register unless they have moved to a new county. Those who have moved within the same county or need to update their name or party affiliation should submit a new registration application to update their record.
State officials also reminded residents that anyone who fills out a registration form during a voter drive may return it personally to their county board of elections, either by mail or in person, rather than giving it back to a drive worker.
The board advises voters to ask registration workers to verify their identities and affiliated organizations before sharing personal information. If someone claims to represent a state or county elections office, residents should request identification, document the person’s name and contact the State Board’s investigations division.
Complaints can be submitted by phone, email or through an election law complaint form available through the State Board of Elections.
Organizers of voter registration drives are required to follow guidelines established by state law and the board, officials said.