Republican leaders in the North Carolina House unveiled details of their long-awaited Voter ID bill Thursday. The measure would require most North Carolinians to bring photo identification with them to the polls, beginning in 2016. It would allow residents to use a number of different kinds of IDs in order to vote.
The NAACP held marches across North Carolina Sunday to voice opposition to a potential voter ID law. The organization also commemorated the 48th anniversary of civil rights marches in Alabama.
More than 50 people with dark coats and colorful umbrellas gathered outside Mount Moriah Primitive Baptist Church in Uptown.
Charlotte NAACP President Kojo Nantambu got everyone’s attention with a loud whistle.
“All right, we’re getting ready to go,” he said, and then thanked everyone for coming as they started walking.
With the GOP-led NC General Assembly beginning a “deliberative” consideration of requiring photo identification when voting, the heated rhetoric on both sides has only inflamed the passions of both supporters and opponents to Voter ID laws.
Anecdotal examples of people claiming to have voted multiple times are charged by one side, while the other side decrying the proposed legislation with charges of “we will fight them in the streets.”
A panel of federal judges in Washington has upheld South Carolina’s controversial voter I.D. law. But it won’t be in place for next month’s elections. The judges ruled the law requiring South Carolinians to show I.D. when they go to vote does not disenfranchise anyone. But they said the November elections are too close and that there’s not enough time for South Carolina election officials to implement the law. So it will take effect next year.
