Yesterday, the Republican National Committee (RNC) secured a legal victory after a North Carolina court ruled a state board of elections directive that a state law that allowed certain individuals who have never resided in the state to register to vote was unconstitutional.
“This is a clear win for fair and lawful elections,” said RNC Chairman Joe Gruters. “The court upheld the North Carolina Constitution and made clear that only North Carolina residents can vote in the state. The RNC will keep fighting to ensure only eligible citizens can vote.”
On Background:
- Yesterday, the Wake County Superior Court ruled that the North Carolina Board of Elections violated the state constitution by allowing individuals who were born overseas and have never lived in North Carolina to vote in federal elections in the state.
- The North Carolina Supreme Court ruled last year in Griffin v North Carolina Board of Elections that people who have never lived in the state cannot vote in state elections.
- After the State Supreme Court’s decision, the North Carolina Board of Elections stopped allowing non-residents to vote for state offices but continued to allow them to vote in federal elections.
- The RNC brought the case to make sure only North Carolina residents can vote in the state’s elections. The North Carolina Supreme Court’s decision was clear: individuals who do not live—and have never lived—in North Carolina are not allowed to choose who represents the people of the state.
- The court’s ruling does not affect voters who qualify under the federal Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA), which applies to U.S. citizens who have previously lived in a state or who are currently serving overseas.
(Republican National Committee, 5/27/2026)
Wait I was told this never happened? https://t.co/KpY5fa1k91
— AAGHarmeetDhillon (@AAGDhillon) May 27, 2026