One of the common issues we find when requesting and analyzing voter rolls is the availability of the removed records. These are categorized and named differently across the states, they can be referred to as cancelled, deleted, purged, removed, or off to name a few, or they could be a separate status reason for an inactive voter. In any case what we are referring to here is any record that is no longer an active or inactive voter. We briefly discussed these records in our prior post about voter status and the NVRA but here we will go into more detail on why these records are important.
Records can be removed from the voter rolls for a number of reasons; this could be due to an individual dying or being convicted of a felony, or they could be removed through the NVRA procedure if an individual moves or fails to vote for a consecutive number of elections. The main things a researcher wants to look for though, is who was removed, and why.
By now we know that two of the key items in the National Voter Registration Act are to outline list maintenance procedures and allow for public inspection of the voter rolls. In order to perform meaningful analysis of the voter rolls and determine if list maintenance is correctly taking place, the analyst must have access to all the records showing that it actually happened. Being able to view and compare removed records to the active and inactive voter rolls lets us see the evolution of the rolls over time and perform a number of meaningful analyses.
The best information this data can provide is ensuring compliance with NVRA Mandated List Maintenance. The National Voter Registration Act (NVRA) of 1993 mandates that states conduct regular list maintenance activities to ensure the accuracy and integrity of voter registration rolls. Including removed voter records in publicly available registration data is essential for reviewing compliance with NVRA requirements. By analyzing removed records, researchers and election analysts can assess the effectiveness of list maintenance efforts, identify areas for improvement, and address any discrepancies or irregularities in the removal process. This proactive approach not only helps states meet their legal obligations under the NVRA but also enhances public confidence in the fairness and accuracy of the voter registration system. Furthermore, it serves as a safeguard against potential errors or biases that may arise during the list maintenance process, thereby upholding the principles of transparency and accountability in electoral administration.
Alternatively, this data can be used along with other information to track demographic shifts over time. Are certain groups of people moving to or from a location? Are removals increasing in some areas, but not in others? These questions can be answered by looking at this removal data.
The information can also be used to analyze voter participation. The removed records still have a history of voting, and that information can be used to look back in time and paint a picture of what participation looked like in a previous election. This is notable because voter rolls are always a current snapshot, so by having the removed records you can better understand the history of a certain election.
Overall, the inclusion of all current and removed voter records in publicly available registration data is not merely a matter of administrative practice but a fundamental principle of the NVRA. By prioritizing transparency, states uphold the values of accountability, inclusivity, and civic engagement, thereby fortifying the foundations of our election process and building confidence in the system.