Concerns Arise Over Voter Registration Mailings in North Carolina
Recent voter registration efforts by a nonprofit organization have sparked concerns in North Carolina, as complaints have surfaced regarding outdated applications and incorrect information. The State Board of Elections has been alerted to these issues by both local boards and concerned citizens.
Ready to Register Inc., the organization behind the mailings, has distributed voter registration applications that list political parties no longer recognized in North Carolina. As of 2026, the officially recognized parties include the Democratic, Green, Libertarian, and Republican parties. Voters also have the option to register as unaffiliated. Registering under a non-recognized party results in an unaffiliated status.
Additionally, there have been instances where mailings were sent to deceased individuals, suggesting the use of outdated voter information. Another significant error involved incorrect return addresses on mailings directed to New Hanover County voters. The correct address for the New Hanover County Board of Elections is 226 Government Center Drive, Wilmington, NC 28403.
There are also privacy concerns stemming from QR codes included in the mailings. These codes might cause forms to pre-fill with other people’s information, raising alarms among recipients.
“Bulk voter registration mailings, when done carelessly, can do more harm than good,” stated Sam Hayes, the executive director of the State Board of Elections. “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 of Elections is in communication with Ready to Register to address these concerns and prevent similar issues in future distributions.
Guidance for Voters
Election officials have offered the following recommendations for voters:
- If you have questions or concerns about a mailing, contact the organization responsible. Reach Ready to Register at info@readytoregister.org.
- If you receive a registration mailing and are already registered at your current address, you can disregard it.
- Voters are encouraged to verify their registration status using the State Board’s online Voter Search tool. For questions regarding voter registration, contact your county board of elections.
- To learn about voter registration in North Carolina, visit the Registering section on ncsbe.gov.
- The deadline for regular voter registration is October 9, 2026, for the November 3, 2026, general election. If you miss this deadline, you can still register and vote simultaneously during early voting at any site in your county.
Read More Here
