New Hanover County included in lawsuit threat over voter rolls

NEW HANOVER COUNTY, NC (WWAY) —  New Hanover County is one of 15 counties in NC accused of having more registered voters than Census numbers show.

Judicial Watch, which calls itself a conservative, non-partisan educational foundation, announced it has sent notice-of-violation letters threatening to sue 11 states if they don’t clean up their voter rolls.

According to the letters, this is “strong circumstantial evidence that these … counties are not conducting reasonable voter registration record maintenance as mandated under the National Voter Registration Act.”

According to Judicial Watch, the states have 90 days after receiving the letters to address the problem and provide documentation showing  the lists of eligible voters are accurate.

Judicial Watch also wants states to remove the names of voters who have become ineligible to vote through change of residence, death, or a disqualifying criminal conviction.

New Hanover County Board of Elections Director Derek Bowens says this isn’t a suit against New Hanover County,  it would be against the State Board of Elections.

“We have been notified of the press release from Judicial Watch. The New Hanover County Board of Elections is, and always has been, committed to executing compliant list maintenance procedures in accordance with N.C. Gen. Stat. 163-82.14 and 52 U.S.C. § 20501 – 52 U.S.C. § 20511 (NVRA). We will work with the State Board of Elections on these findings to determine merit and any subsequent action as necessary,” Bowens said.