DENVER—The Electronic Registration Information Center (ERIC) has recently become the center of discussion in election administration as states consider whether to join, leave or remain.
ERIC, a multistate partnership, was established in 2012 with assistance from The Pew Charitable Trusts to address the challenges of maintaining clean and accurate voter rolls, a concern shared by both Republican and Democratic legislators across the states.
Recent resignations by eight states have reduced membership from 33 states plus Washington, D.C., in 2022 to 25 states plus the district after the resignations take effect.
Wendy Underhill, director of NCSL’s Elections and Redistricting Program, explains that concerns regarding privacy, transparency and outreach requirements have emerged in the past two years, despite previous broad bipartisan support for ERIC.
For more on ERIC, its use by states and an outlook on the organization’s future, read Underhill’s article “More Withdrawals From Voter Data Group ERIC Likely,” published today in State Legislatures News.
For more on voter registration, see these NCSL resources:
NCSL’s Elections and Redistricting Program provides research and tracks legislation in several major categories: campaign finance, election policy and administration, election results and analysis, and initiative and referendum.
NCSL is a bipartisan organization that serves the legislators and staffs of the states, commonwealths and territories. It provides research, technical assistance and opportunities for policymakers to exchange ideas on the most pressing state issues and is an effective and respected advocate for the interests of the states in the American federal system.