Grand Canyon Times

The Electronic Registration Information Center (ERIC) is a voter registration maintenance system which is reportedly successful in concept, but deeply flawed in practice.

Arizona is one of the system's current member states, according to the ERIC website. Gina Swoboda, executive director of the Voter Reference Foundation (VRF), recently identified several concerns with ERIC citing a lack of transparency as a significant problem.

“ERIC is a 501(c)3 organization currently comprised of 31 member states, including Arizona, and the District of Columbia,” Swoboda wrote. “In concept, ERIC is a convenient way for states to compare their data to ensure voter registration maintenance is performed effectively, allowing the member states to identify potential duplicate records or ineligible voters on their lists.”

However, in practice it is flawed, according to the VRF.

Swoboda claims that a lack of transparency has in some cases prevented the public and election integrity advocacy organizations from carrying out oversight of voter list maintenance that the National Voter Registration Act (NVRA) calls for.

The members of ERIC submit voter registration records and drivers’ license/identification (DMV) records, as well as information on current record status, phone number, and email address when available. However, Swoboda states, there is a lack of transparency within the program.

"Unfortunately, what could be a fantastic program is flawed by the complete lack of transparency within ERIC," Swoboda wrote in a blog post.

Louisiana's Secretary of State Kyle Ardoi said the state suspended its participation in ERIC in January, according to a press release.  

“When Louisiana joined ERIC under my predecessor, we did so under the impression that it would enhance the accuracy of our voter rolls and strengthen Louisiana’s election integrity,” Ardoi said. “After reading about these allegations and speaking with election attorneys and experts, I have determined that it may no longer be in Louisiana’s best interests to participate in this organization. It is vital that any legitimate allegation of voter fraud or possible misuse of our voters’ personal information is investigated. My job is to ensure that the data voters entrust to my office is protected. I look forward to ERIC’s swift response to these allegations.”

Another area of concern surrounds the Public Interest Legal Foundation (PILF), which has engaged in litigation seeking a judgment requiring ERIC to allow its members to release voter list maintenance reports held by the members, according to VRF. Swoboda notes that under the ERIC contract with its members, this information is required to be withheld.

The PILF has argued that this is a violation of the National Voter Registration Act’s Public Disclosure provision. The VRF feels ERIC should release its members from the provisions that do not permit the 32 members of the organization, which are all government agencies, to comply with public record, the NVRA record and Freedom of Information Act requests.