Statement from NC Justice Center on Senate Bill 250

The bill, which aims to identify individuals who are ineligible to vote, is unnecessary and discriminatory.
RALEIGH (OCTOBER 31, 2019) – Senate Bill 250, which tasks the State Board of Elections with identifying individuals who are ineligible to vote by comparing voter and juror information, is an unnecessary and discriminatory measure that will cause harm to immigrant communities in North Carolina.

The North Carolina Justice Center urges an immediate veto of Senate Bill 250. If enacted, this measure could lead to the disenfranchisement of recently naturalized citizens and reveal the immigration status of non-U.S. citizens who are legal permanent residents or have protected status, putting their safety at risk.

“Unfortunately, we have seen a serious increase in violent acts around the country, fueled by hate and ignorance, against communities because of their race, perceived immigration status, and religion,” said North Carolina Justice Center Executive Director Rick Glazier. “The state should not facilitate the discrimination and abuse of vulnerable populations with unnecessary provisions in a bill unrelated to the legislation’s stated goal.”

An investigation of claims that non-U.S. citizens illegally registered to vote in the 2012 election proved false; every potentially fraudulent voter was, in fact, a U.S. citizen. Thus, comparing juror and voter information, as mandated by Senate Bill 250, leads to mostly false matches.

“S.B. 250 is a bad solution to a non-existent problem,” said Glazier.

The North Carolina Justice Center is a non-profit research and advocacy organization, working to eliminate poverty for all North Carolinians by ensuring equal access to resources and services. The NC Justice Center works alongside community partners to serve immigrant communities throughout the state and believes all citizens should be able to exercise their right to vote without government interference.