Gaps in Voter Registration Process Raise Concerns of Fraud

Affadavit seen as insufficient safeguard to keep non-citizens from polls

RALEIGH (By Kristy Bailey, Carolina Journal Online) — Anyone possessing a North Carolina driver’s license, a Social Security card, a utility bill — and a willingness to lie on a voter registration form — can establish enough “proof” of citizenship allowing him to register to vote in North Carolina.

Moreover, the state’s system of allowing voter registration by mail and same-day registration at early voting sites operates essentially on the honor system. The registration form requires each applicant to sign an affidavit confirming that the applicant is a U.S. citizen.

The penalty for “knowingly” providing a false statement on the form is a felony. But critics say the process for checking citizenship status is lax, so anyone with phony documents and no qualms about choosing untruthfully the “yes” box under “Are you a U.S. citizen?” has a good chance of beating the system.