During my reelection campaign for Congress in 2012, I traveled throughout my expansive district and knocked on many doors. Some people I met responded, “I’m sorry, I’m not a citizen so I don’t vote.” This was puzzling since I was knocking on their door precisely because their name was on a voter registration list provided to me by the state.

I also visited empty lots, addresses with multiple names, and mailboxes (not residences) matching the names on my voter rolls. How did those names get on the list?