By Lorrie Ross
Staff Writer
North Carolina’s on again off again requirement for voters to show photo identification to vote is apparently being called off again. That means voters in the March primary will probably not need to show photo identification after all.
Federal Judge Loretta Copeland Biggs announced Thursday, Dec. 26, she will temporarily block the law while lawsuits against the state about the photo ID requirement continue. Judge Biggs, a United States District Court Judge for the Middle District of North Carolina, said she will make an official ruling this week and wanted to give advance notice to prevent a statewide mailer from being sent.
Beginning in 2020, North Carolina voters were supposed to provide photo identification when voting in-person or absentee-by-mail. As preparation for the change, voters all over the state were mailed informational booklets over the last two weeks, explaining what the guidelines would be and what types of photo identification would be accepted. Additional educational mailings were supposed to follow over the next several weeks.
Clay County Board of Elections Director Rebecca Hall did not have many details yet. “I got an email saying we would not be asking for ID’s in the primary on March 3,” she said. “We were told it would not affect us in any other way. That mailer was just sent out to residents and I’m sure it is confusing for voters.”
In 2018, about 55 percent of North Carolina voters approved the amendment to the state constitution requiring all voters to have photo identification in order to vote. The North Carolina General Assembly followed suit in December 2018 with Senate Bill 824 which listed types of acceptable identification. The requirement was not limited to drivers’ licenses or official Department of Motor Vehicles photo identification; however, the list of acceptable voting IDs was extensive and included many student ID cards, as well as others. Free identification cards have been available at the DMV for most people for many months, as well.
Clay County’s Republican Party Chair Sissie Penland said citizens need identification for many things in life, including doctor’s appointments, opening bank accounts and more. “The requirement for a photo ID is truly a necessity in many walks of life and should not be excluded when it comes to voting requirements,” she said. “I think the NC Voter Photo ID Law is a way to protect a person’s right to vote. All citizens should be free to exercise their right to vote, but it is the duty of governing officials to ensure valid votes are cast so election results truly represent the will of the community.”
Referring to the 2018 decision by voters, Penland continued. “It is my opinion the people’s will should be followed,” she said. “The people voted in this amendment to our constitution and we should uphold the community’s wishes. If everything voted in by the people is opposed in court and fought against, then why are lawmakers placing it on the ballot? It seems to me going to court to block an amendment voted in by the people of North Carolina is basically telling those people their vote doesn’t count for much and that is a shame. Most people take pride in their right to vote and expressing their opinion with that vote.”
Clay County’s Democratic Party Chairperson Barbara Lanwermeyer was out of state at press time and unable to send a statement on behalf of local Democrats. During a brief phone conversation Monday, Dec. 30, Lanwermeyer said, “It is a very important topic.” We hope to run her complete statement in a follow-up article.
Penland believes asking for photo identification from voters is common sense. She explained it is simple to get voter identification cards, as well as photo IDs from the DMV. “It is also my opinion the NC Voter ID law does not seek to single out minorities or low-income citizens, nor does it do anything to deteriorate our United States Constitution’s Voter Rights Act amendment,” she added. “I really don’t see a problem with a law that seeks to protect the integrity of our elections by implementing the requirement to show a photo ID. The law is a crucial way to protect every person’s right to vote and the validity of that vote.”
The photo ID requirement for North Carolina voters has been in the news since at least 2013, when it was proposed by some lawmakers to decrease voter fraud. Meanwhile, as of Tuesday morning, December 31, the North Carolina State Board of Elections website still prominently displayed an article called, “Voters Will Be Asked to Show Photo ID Beginning in 2020” which also gave information about dozens of acceptable forms of identification which could be used for voting. Nothing mentioned the repeal of the requirement. Visit: https://www.ncsbe.gov/Voter-ID.
There is still time to register to vote for the March 3 primary. The Clay County Board of Elections Office is at 54 Church Street in downtown Hayesville. Call (828) 389-6812 or visit: www.elections.claync.us