Election officials warn New Hanover voters after mailers include wrong return address

NEW HANOVER, NC (WWAY) — The North Carolina State Board of Elections is warning voters about a recent voter registration mailing campaign that officials say caused confusion and increased workloads for county election offices across the state.

According to the State Board, the mailings were distributed by Ready to Register Inc. and included an outdated North Carolina voter registration application listing four political parties that are no longer officially recognized in the state. As of 2026, North Carolina recognizes the Democratic, Green, Libertarian, and Republican parties, while voters may also register as unaffiliated. Applications submitted with a formerly recognized political party designation will instead be processed as unaffiliated registrations.

Election officials said they have also received reports that some mailings were sent to deceased individuals, suggesting the organization may have relied on outdated voter data.

Additional concerns have emerged in New Hanover County, where officials said the mailings included an incorrect return mailing address for the county board of elections. The incorrect address could prevent completed voter registration forms from reaching election officials. The correct mailing address for the New Hanover County Board of Elections is 226 Government Center Drive, Wilmington, NC 28403.

The State Board also reported receiving complaints that QR codes included in some mailings may cause information belonging to other individuals to appear on online forms, raising privacy concerns among recipients.

“Bulk voter registration mailings, when done carelessly, can do more harm than good,” State Board Executive Director Sam Hayes said in a statement. “They can confuse voters and greatly increase the workload of county boards of elections. State Board staff are available to advise anyone who wishes to send voter registration mailings so that we can minimize potential issues.”

The State Board said it has contacted Ready to Register in an effort to reduce voter confusion and minimize problems with any future mailings.

Election officials are advising residents who receive a registration mailing and are already registered at their current address that no action is required and the mailing may be discarded. Voters with questions about the mailing are encouraged to contact Ready to Register directly.

Officials also encourage voters to periodically verify their registration information using the State Board of Elections’ online Voter Search tool and to contact their county board of elections if they have questions about their registration status.

North Carolina’s regular voter registration deadline for the Nov. 3, 2026, general election is Oct. 9. Voters who miss the deadline may still register and vote simultaneously during the early voting period at any early voting site in their county.