How Voter Rolls Are Being Diluted with Ineligible Voters: The ERIC, CEIR, and DMV Data Scheme

In recent years, the integrity of America’s voter rolls has come under increasing scrutiny, with mounting evidence suggesting widespread dilution of eligible voters by ineligible registrations. At the heart of this issue are the Electronic Registration Information Center (ERIC) and the Center for Election Innovation and Research (CEIR)—organizations that claim to work in the public interest but are now facing serious allegations of violating voter privacy laws and facilitating voter roll inaccuracies.

ERIC's Role: A Trojan Horse for Voter Roll Manipulation

ERIC, originally promoted as a nonpartisan organization designed to clean up voter rolls, has raised significant concerns. When states become ERIC members, they enter into agreements requiring them to share sensitive Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) data. This data includes both citizens and non-citizens, creating an inherent problem when it comes to voter registration accuracy.

Here’s how it works:

1. States provide DMV data to ERIC, including non-citizen records. Under ERIC’s membership agreements, states are explicitly barred from distinguishing who is and is not a citizen—making it impossible to separate ineligible individuals from eligible voters.

2. ERIC then compiles this data and identifies “eligible but unregistered” individuals. The problem? These lists are often riddled with non-citizens, minors, and other ineligible individuals who should not appear on voter rolls.

3. ERIC shares these “eligible but unregistered” lists with states, requiring them to contact at least 95% of the individuals listed for voter registration drives.

Rather than cleaning up voter rolls, ERIC has been accused of inflating them with ineligible voters under the guise of modernization.

CEIR: The Shadow Organization Behind Voter Drives

Enter the Center for Election Innovation and Research (CEIR). Founded by David Becker, the same individual who launched ERIC, CEIR plays a significant role in influencing elections under the radar. Once ERIC compiles DMV data, CEIR steps in, using that information to conduct voter registration drives and outreach campaigns.

For example:

• CEIR has reportedly used DMV-sourced data—which includes non-citizens—to conduct partisan voter registration efforts in key swing states.

• Funding for these campaigns often comes from wealthy donors, such as Mark Zuckerberg during the 2020 elections. CEIR received tens of millions of dollars in so-called “voter education grants,” which were funneled into states for political targeting.

This cozy relationship between ERIC, CEIR, and partisan actors has raised red flags across the nation, as it seemingly prioritizes registration numbers over accuracy, leading to bloated voter rolls that are easily exploited.

Arizona’s Problem: Massive Pools of Ineligible Voters

Arizona provides a clear example of how this system creates glaring vulnerabilities. According to recent investigations, the state has failed to remove over a million ineligible voters who should have been purged based on the National Voter Registration Act (NVRA) requirements.

Key findings include:

• Arizona sent out confirmation notices to individuals suspected of moving or becoming ineligible. Despite this, 1.2 million voters who failed to respond or vote in two consecutive elections remain on the rolls.

• These inactive registrants should have been removed, yet the state has not fulfilled its legal obligation to maintain accurate voter lists.

When ineligible voters remain on the rolls, it opens the door to potential fraud and dilutes the votes of legitimate, active voters.

The Bottom Line: An Unchecked System Diluting the Vote

The relationship between ERIC, CEIR, and state DMVs is at the center of a growing concern about voter roll manipulation. By collecting DMV data—which includes non-citizens—and prohibiting states from identifying citizenship status, ERIC creates flawed lists that CEIR then weaponizes for partisan registration campaigns. States like Arizona, by failing to clean up their voter rolls, leave massive pools of ineligible voters that undermine election integrity.

This system is not about ensuring fair elections. It is about inflating voter rolls, bypassing transparency, and leveraging sensitive data for political gain. The public deserves answers, and states must take action to clean up their voter rolls, enforce NVRA requirements, and ensure that every legitimate vote counts.

If voter confidence is to be restored, states must prioritize transparency, accountability, and accuracy over partisan-driven registration schemes.