Stephanie Janard
In 2011, the GOP-controlled North Carolina Assembly proposed sweeping changes to the state’s existing voting laws, including a new requirement for voters to show government-issued photo IDs before casting their votes. The legislation was unveiled under the auspices of restoring faith in elections among all voters, regardless of party affiliation.
The bills were then voted along decidedly partisan lines.
Republicans were almost unanimously in favor, Democrats largely against, and Democratic Governor Beverly Perdue vetoed the bills that reached her desk. Undaunted, GOP leadership has kept them on the legislative docket for possible over-ride.
Why is this issue so sharply partisan?
Proponents say it shouldn’t be; that such laws protect the integrity of elections for everyone.
Opponents state the real motivation behind such legislation is more about protecting Republicans in future elections.
Analysis shows that more than 460,000 actively registered voters in North Carolina do not appear to possess a valid state photo ID – and 57.8% of them are registered Democrats.
Similar patterns can be found in other Republican-proposed legislation that shortens North Carolina’s early voting period by a week and eliminates same day registration and voting at “One Stop” sites. In 2008, Democratic candidate Barack Obama led the early One Stop and absentee vote by more than 170,000 votes.
Voter Fraud?
Proponents of stricter voting requirements insist that party affiliation numbers have nothing to do with it. They state that such measures are based on plain common sense in an age where many daily transactions require a photo ID.
So should voting instead of relying on an honor system, they assert.
CONTINUED:http://rccatalyst.com/?p=489
It Makes Sense Now
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