The Electronic Registration Information Center (ERIC) is a supposedly non-partisan group that helps states keep voting rolls up to date. Recently, however, there’s been some controversy.
Missouri, West Virginia, and Florida just recently banned using ERIC for their state elections. These red states have begun accusing the group of being biased in favor of the left. Is it true?
"It truly is a shame that an organization founded on the principle of nonpartisanship would allow the opportunity for partisanship to stray the organization from the equally important principle of upholding the public’s confidence.” https://t.co/pJgPQKGD7B
— ElectionNotes (@ElectionNotes) March 10, 2023
Taking a Look at ERIC
The mainstream media, such as the New York Times and AP, have been trashing West Virginia and other states.
They say any criticism of ERIC is a right-wing “conspiracy theory” and has no grounding in reality. This is false. There are specific problems with the trustworthiness of ERIC and what it does as well as its founding roots and mission.
ERIC has turned down doing a standard investigation into voter fraud which occurred in various states who are members. It has also allowed left-wing founder David Becker to remain on its governing board.
While it’s true that Becker gets no vote on the board, the idea he has no influence on the priorities of ERIC and what it does is absurd. At the very least, states have a right to ask questions about just how impartial ERIC is.
Does it really just impartially check voter rolls to make sure they’re accurate when people die or move out of state? Or is it more of a low-key effort to get more likely Democrats registered to vote? It’s looking a lot like option two.
Florida, Missouri, and West Virginia are withdrawing from the Electronic Registration Information Center, which has been under fire from Republicans over allegations that it was “a left-wing voter registration drive disguised as voter roll clean-up.” https://t.co/UapzxnT0ya
— The Epoch Times (@EpochTimes) March 7, 2023
How Does ERIC Work?
At this time, around 33 states are members of ERIC. When you sign up to be in ERIC, your state gives information on all eligible voters in the state, registered and unregistered.
It makes sure to analyze voter rolls and keep them up to date about who moved or died so states have an idea of who’s actually voting or eligible to vote in upcoming elections.
ERIC works alongside another Becker-founded group called the Center for Election Innovation and Research (CEIR), which gives states material to send out to unregistered voters and get them to sign up.
During the 2020 election, CEIR got vast amounts of money from leftist Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg. This money helped CEIR sign up millions of Democrats across the country, favoring get out the vote in left-leaning areas.
What a coincidence!
The Bottom Line
There are clearly some real concerns about what’s going on here. Becker is leaving the board when his term is up this week, for one thing. Why would he do that if all these accusations are groundless?
Secondly, the recently withdrawing states aren’t just playing politics. They have real concerns about the left-wing ties of ERIC and why its past focus seems to have centered on getting Democrats to the polls.
More red states need to start leaving this partisan organization.
This article appeared in FreshOffThePress and has been published here with permission.
