The North Carolina State Board of Elections has purged over 747,000 registered voters from its rolls within the past 20 months, leading up to the upcoming election.

The removal of voters occurs amid lawsuits from the Republican National Committee and North Carolina Republican Party, challenging the handling of voter registration records, as the Washington Examiner reports.

Massive Voter Roll Purge Conducted

Over 747,000 people have been removed from the North Carolina voter registration list, according to a press release from the North Carolina State Board of Elections (NCSBE). These removals occurred over a span of 20 months, as stated in the Thursday release.

The purging was conducted under policies meant to ensure that only ineligible voter records were removed. According to the NCSBE, reasons for removal included voters being deceased, having duplicate registrations, or gaining "inactive status" due to non-participation in two federal elections.

As of now, nearly 7.7 million registered voters remain on file in North Carolina, a state recognized for its pivotal role in national elections.

Challenges from GOP Lawsuits

In August, the Republican National Committee (RNC) and the North Carolina Republican Party lodged lawsuits against the NCSBE. These lawsuits allege that the board failed to act promptly in purging ineligible voter records, particularly focusing on the board’s inaction in using jury questionnaires to identify and remove noncitizens.

The RNC and the state Republican Party argue that the NCSBE's inaction has compromised the integrity of elections by allowing noncitizens to remain on voter rolls. "The NCSBE has once again failed in its mandate to keep non-citizens off the voter rolls, fueling distrust and jeopardizing our elections," said RNC Chairman Michael Whatley.

Whatley emphasized the importance of ensuring that only Americans decide American elections, stating, "We are committed to the basic principle -- and commonsense law -- that only Americans decide American elections."

North Carolina's Critical Role in Elections

North Carolina is considered a critical battleground state for the upcoming 2024 presidential election. The state's voter registration and election integrity have drawn heightened attention as both state and national races could hinge on the results here.

Recent surveys indicate a tight race in the state. According to an AARP survey released on Wednesday, former President Donald Trump holds a slight lead over Vice President Kamala Harris in North Carolina. The scrutiny on election integrity is amplified by these close races. Ensuring that only eligible voters are on the rolls is a significant concern for both parties.

Scandals and Political implications

In addition to the presidential race, North Carolina's gubernatorial race is also under a spotlight. Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson, the state's GOP gubernatorial nominee, is facing a scandal involving allegedly lewd and racist comments he made in the past.

Robinson’s controversies pose a challenge as he aims to become North Carolina's first Republican governor since 1985. The outcome of the purging actions and subsequent lawsuits could affect both his campaign and the broader political landscape.

The ongoing legal battles, voter purge actions, and their implications underscore the heightened political stakes in North Carolina. Both state-level and nationwide elections will be influenced by how these developments unfold.

With nearly 7.7 million registered voters still on file, the sheer scale of the purge indicates the significance of maintaining accurate voter rolls. However, the lawsuits filed by the RNC and the state Republican Party bring to light concerns about the processes used to maintain these records.

The NCSBE maintains that the removal process followed strict, careful policies to ensure that only the records of ineligible voters were removed. According to their press release, "The county boards follow careful policies to ensure that only ineligible records are removed, not those of eligible voters."

The political climate in North Carolina continues to be intensely scrutinized. As the state gears up for the 2024 election, the actions taken by election officials and subsequent judicial decisions will be watched closely by all parties involved.

Conclusion

North Carolina's decision to purge over 747,000 registered voters from its rolls within the last 20 months has sparked a significant controversy and legal challenges from the Republican National Committee and the state's Republican Party.

As a battleground state, the integrity of its voter rolls is under intense scrutiny, especially with upcoming elections that could pivot both state and national races.

With nearly 7.7 million registered voters remaining, ensuring the accuracy of these records is a priority amid the ongoing political and legal battles.

The unfolding events will undoubtedly influence North Carolina's political landscape as it gears up for the critical 2024 elections.