WASHINGTON,
D.C. — Today,
the Republican National Committee (RNC) launched one of its largest ever
records requests related to state voter rolls. Specifically, the RNC sent
public records requests to the chief election officers of 48 states and the
city of Washington, D.C. seeking documents on how they maintain their voter
registration lists.
Under the National Voter Registration Act (NVRA) and state public records laws,
states have to retain and provide records to the public on how they are
maintaining accurate lists of registered voters. The American people have a
right to know if states are effectively taking steps to remove ineligible
individuals from the voter rolls, including the deceased, criminals,
out-of-state movers, and non-citizens.
"The RNC is once again taking action to make our elections more
secure,” said RNC Chairman Michael Whatley. “Voters have a
right to know that their states are properly maintaining voter rolls and
quickly acting to clean voter registration lists by removing ineligible voters.
If states unlawfully block our requests, or if we discover that states have
failed to accurately maintain their voter rolls, the RNC stands ready to act.”
The RNC’s records requests are part of its comprehensive election integrity
program. The RNC is working to increase transparency in our elections and
stands ready to ensure transparency if states do not comply.
Background:
The RNC did not send letters to North Dakota – which does not have a formal voter registration process – or Maryland.
