by Sue Book
November 9, 2011
Craven County Commissioner Scott Dacey asked fellow board members to consider asking for local legislation to require a photo ID to vote in Craven County.
Dacey asked commissioners during the Monday night meeting commissioners’ remarks period to consider at the next meeting asking the local delegation to introduce a local bill for the voter requirement.
A statewide Republican Party initiative to require photo voter ID was passed by the 2011 General Assembly but vetoed in June by Gov. Bev Perdue.
Similar bills were vetoed in Minnesota and New Hampshire.
Perdue said in her veto comments that the “bill, as written, will unnecessarily and unfairly disenfranchise many eligible and legitimate voters.”
Presently, 31 states require voters to show identification at the polling place, including 15 that require a photo ID.
Voters in eight states must show a photo ID but are permitted to vote a provisional ballot and show proof of identification within several days of the election for it to count. In seven states they may prove their identity in some other way or may swear or affirm identity on peril of a perjury charge.
The other 16 states allow non-photo identification, some even a utility bill, in order to vote.
Dacey and other proponents maintain it will prevent voter fraud.
Opponents say they seek to correct a problem that doesn’t exist and in the process makes it harder for some, including young people, old people, low-income people and minorities to vote because they may not have a driver’s license or other form of photo ID.
Dacey said his local legislation request would include a provision that Craven County would provide photo ID free of charge.
His request is expected to be on the agenda for the 8:30 a.m. Nov. 21 meeting.
Sue Book can be reached at 252-635-5665 or sbook@freedomenc.com.
http://www.newbernsj.com/news/craven-101929-commissioners-county.html
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