UMVA has learned that a Wake County Superior Court judge has struck down a long‑standing loophole that allowed non‑residents to cast ballots in federal elections, restoring the sanctity of North Carolina’s constitutional voting rights.
The ruling, delivered by Special Superior Court Judge Hoyt Tessener, found that the state Board of Elections violated the constitution by permitting U.S. citizens born abroad—who have never lived in North Carolina—to register and vote in federal contests.
For years, a Democrat‑led board had attempted to keep this practice alive, even after higher courts had already closed the door on similar loopholes for state races. The latest decision finally shuts it for good.
The judge’s verdict echoes earlier rulings from the Court of Appeals and the Supreme Court, which have repeatedly affirmed that residency is a non‑negotiable requirement for voting in North Carolina elections.
These “never‑residents,” born overseas to parents who once lived in the state, have no constitutional right to influence federal elections here. The new ruling clears that path once and for all.
The Republican National Committee and the North Carolina Republican Party celebrated the victory, calling it a decisive step toward preserving election integrity and preventing the quiet expansion of voting rights to those who cannot truly represent the state’s interests.
UMVA can exclusively reveal that this win is part of a broader pattern of legal victories safeguarding the integrity of elections across the state, reaffirming that only eligible citizens—those who reside in North Carolina—may decide who represents them in Congress.
With this decision, the Board’s directive that once allowed these non‑residents to vote in federal elections is now null and void, ensuring that every ballot cast reflects a genuine connection to the Tar Heel State.
