Over 9% of U.S. Voter Records Routinely Maintained as California Continues Roll Updates

A recent social media post by Shiloh Marx, thanking Larry Elder, declared:

"California voter rolls are being cleaned🇺🇸 Ineligible voters are being removed—We are taking back California." This assertion highlights ongoing discussions surrounding election integrity and the continuous maintenance of voter registration lists within the state. However, California election officials affirm that the removal of ineligible voters is a routine, legally mandated process, rather than a sudden or unusual "cleaning" event.

Voter roll maintenance in California is governed by federal statutes such as the National Voter Registration Act (NVRA) and the Help America Vote Act (HAVA), alongside specific state laws. These regulations require county election officials to regularly update voter records by removing individuals who are deceased, have moved out of state, are convicted of felonies, or have been declared mentally incompetent. The process also includes placing voters on inactive status if mail is undeliverable or if they fail to vote over multiple federal election cycles after receiving confirmation notices.

This ongoing administrative effort ensures the accuracy and integrity of the voter file, utilizing data from sources like the Department of Motor Vehicles, the U.S. Postal Service's National Change of Address program, and vital statistics offices. Nationwide data from the U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC) indicates that between the 2022 and 2024 general elections, over 9% of all registered voter records were removed due to routine maintenance, with common reasons including inactivity and changes of address. California's Secretary of State's office consistently reports that its maintenance activities are robust and comply with all legal requirements, without evidence of non-routine, large-scale purges.

The tweet's sentiment, particularly the phrase "taking back California," resonates with conservative activists and political figures like Larry Elder, who have frequently voiced concerns about election integrity. Elder has consistently advocated for more rigorous voter roll maintenance and has amplified claims of widespread voter fraud, although these assertions have been largely unsubstantiated by election officials and independent fact-checkers. Such advocacy often frames routine maintenance as a critical step to prevent fraud and ensure fair elections.

Ultimately, maintaining accurate voter rolls is a fundamental aspect of election administration, balancing the need for current data with protections against wrongful disenfranchisement. The continuous nature of California's voter registration updates reflects a commitment to ensuring that only eligible citizens can cast ballots, a process that unfolds through established legal frameworks rather than sporadic interventions.