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NEWS

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North Carolina State Board of Elections, Dobbs Building

North Carolina-Trump DOJ Voter Purge Plan Is Illegal, Democrats Warn

By Yunior Rivas for Democracy Docket - July 14, 2025
The Democratic National Committee (DNC) charged that a North Carolina plan — hatched alongside the Trump Justice Department — to effectively remove nearly 100,000 registered voters from the rolls would violate federal voting law.

In a letter sent Friday to the North Carolina State Board of Elections (NCSBE), the DNC blasts the controversial new plan approved by the board in June. The plan would block tens of thousands of voters from having their ballots counted unless they submit additional ID information, such as a driver’s license number or the last four digits of their Social Security number.
The board devised the plan after the Department of Justice sued the state, alleging that it had failed to collect information from voters that’s required under the Help America Vote Act.

At a board meeting last month, NCSBE executive director Sam Hayes, a former top GOP legislative aide, said he had been in “discussions” with the federal government to resolve the issue. Hayes added that he “planned to work with the DOJ” to bring the board into compliance with federal law.
In response, both the DNC and a pro-voting group, the North Carolina Alliance for Retired Americans, filed motions to intervene in the case, asserting that neither the state board nor the DOJ was representing the interests of voters.

The DNC says in its letter that enforcement of this plan “effectively removes approximately 98,000 registrants from the ‘official list of eligible voters’ in violation of Section 8(a)(3) of the National Voter Registration Act (NVRA).”
The new policy would force affected voters to cast provisional ballots, but those ballots will only be counted if state officials are satisfied that the ID information voters provide is “correct.”

The DNC argues that under the NVRA, states are permitted to remove a voter from the rolls only under narrow circumstances: if a registrant requests removal, is convicted of a felony, is mentally incapacitated, dies or moves away. The new North Carolina policy introduces an unauthorized reason: “their voter-registration records purportedly lack certain identifying information.”

Moreover, the DNC outlined the political and operational harm to the party and its voters. The letter notes the plan “will force the DNC to expend and divert funds and resources that it would otherwise spend on voter outreach and mobilization efforts toward informing voters about their registration status.”

The letter gives the State Board until October to resolve the issue before the DNC pursues legal action. “If the violations are not corrected … the DNC may file claims seeking declaratory or injunctive relief,” Seth Waxman, former U.S. Solicitor General, wrote for the DNC. “I hope that these violations may be resolved without the unnecessary expense of additional litigation.”

Late Update, 7/15: The North Carolina State Board of Elections responded in a statement: 
“The Executive Director’s plan to collect missing registration information from voters was unanimously approved by the State Board of Elections at its June 24 meeting.  We believe that it fully complies with state and federal law, including the National Voter Registration Act, and we expect that it will also receive approval from the United States Department of Justice.”

More info here...

Call your local state senator and rep and complain loudly.
NC Reps List
NC Senate List

Contact: Jake Johnson (R. NC District 113) 
email: [email protected]
​phone: 919-715-4466

Contact: Timothy Moffitt (R. Sentate District 48)
email: [email protected]
​phone: 919-733-5745

The North Carolina Alliance for Retired Americans is represented by the Elias Law Group (ELG). ELG Firm Chair Marc Elias is the founder of Democracy Docket.

Columbus NC Democrats
Over 250 citizens turned out in a strong rebuke to the Un-American activities of this administration. Stearns Park, Columbus, NC.
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A 20-foot tall balloon of President Trump in a diaper is seen among people taking part in a "No Kings" protest in Los Angeles ETIENNE LAURENT/AFP VIA GETTY IMAGES

NO KINGS Protests Locally and Nationwide Are a Huge Success 
A Clear Message of Defiance to the Trump Administration

Matthew Pickett - for the Polk County Dems
Stearns Park, Columbus NC and Nationwide - June 14, 2025
Over 250 like minded citizens took to the turf at Stearns Park in Columbus, NC to add their voices to the millions of Americans that turned out for the nationwide "NO KINGS" protest. The over 2,000 NO KINGS protests nationwide were designed as a rebuke to Trump's policies that are undermining democracy and destroying America. Current estimates show  five plus million people nationwide participated .

The Columbus protest was led by 
Robbie terKuile and the Polk County Women's Club. It was a REAL show of strength and a counterpoint to the "low energy" military parade in Washington DC. That parade was sparsely attended and overshadowed by bad weather that seemed to mirror the glower of the President.
Ivon, a sixteen year old Hispanic boy, walked to Stearns Park after his father told him Democrats were rallying. He wants to join our Young Dems!
Robbie terKuile
The 25o people strong that turned out at Stearns Park to have their voices heard all carried signs critical of the current administrations policies. Democrats, Republicans and Independents rallied = all Americans - who are deeply dismayed by what is happening to our country. Many cars passing honked their approvals and very few dissented. The overall atmosphere was one of great comity and optimism as "the people" felt the power of the first amendment in action.

The Columbus event wasn't the largest for sure - but given the small size of the local community and the short notice, it was a VERY big turnout. Other local "NO KINGS" protests in Hendersonville and Asheville had enormous crowds. ​

The 3.5% rule
Whereas, if 3.5% of a population makes a sustained peaceful effort to protest - the ruling government cannot remain in power and collapses. The protests against the Trump administration have steadily climbed since his inauguration just 6 months ago. Fingers crossed.

https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20190513-it-only-takes-35-of-people-to-change-the-world

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Help Make Our Monthly Food Drive a Success

June 21st 9-12 at Polk County Democratic HQ
With reduction of federal food benefits and a worsening economy, our local food pantries are facing increased demand and reduced donations. We need to help! The Polk County Democratic Party is sponsoring a monthly food drive to help our neighbors and reduce hunger in our county.

What you can do-
Volunteer on June 21st at headquarters to collect donated food or deliver food to the pantries on June 23rd. If you want to volunteer email Mike Silverman at [email protected].
And
Encourage your friends and neighbors to bring non-perishable, non expired items to headquarters located at 64 Ward Street, Columbus, NC on June 21 between 9-12:00.

​Let’s show our neighbors that Democrats care and are working to address issues that are affecting our neighbors.

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Update: This Bill Passed
​
Senate Bill 50 Recklessly Allows Guns Without Any Permitting 

This bill would allow anyone 18 or older to carry a concealed weapon in North Carolina without a permit, training, or background check.
Let that sink in. This dangerous bill is expected to be called for a full vote tomorrow (June 11).We’re packing the gallery at the North Carolina General Assembly to send one clear message: North Carolinians reject permitless concealed carry.

Wednesday, June 11 at 12:00 PM
NC General Assembly Gallery 16 W Jones St, Raleigh, NC

Read more about the bill here.

This bill would put more guns in more places with fewer safeguards. It puts our communities, our kids, and our future at risk.
Be there tomorrow. Bring your voice. Let them know we’re watching. 

https://www.ncleg.gov/Sessions/2025/Bills/Senate/PDF/S50v3.pdf

If you cannot make it - call your state senator and rep. 
NC Reps List
NC Senate List

Contact: Jake Johnson (R. NC District 113) 
email: [email protected]
​phone: 919-715-4466

Contact: Timothy Moffitt (R. Sentate District 48)
email: [email protected]
​phone: 919-733-5745

PicturePolk County Dems Headquarters in Columbus NC

We Believe...

  • Helping people in need strengthens our community
  • The health and safety of our neighbors is important
  • Censorship through book banning and teacher harassment harms public education
  • Capitalism is at its best when it works for everyone equally
  • My "freedoms" should not hurt or infringe on anyone else's "freedoms"
  • Racism and discrimination are wrong
  • Violence and hate are NOT "legitimate political discourse"
  • Government is not the enemy; Hate, fear and disinformation are the enemy
  • Rules and laws must apply to everyone equally
  • Climate change is a real and immediate danger

Party Headquarters

Polk County
​Democratic Party

Send Mail to:
Post Office Box 602
Columbus, NC 28722
​
​Physical address:
​64 Ward Street

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