Majority of NC voters support voter ID, new poll says

Summary

North Carolina voters will now be required to show photo ID when voting, a change stemming from a long-running legal battle. A 2018 voter ID law was deemed discriminatory by the state Supreme Court, but was later reinstated after a shift to a conservative majority. A recent poll by the John Locke Foundation shows overwhelming support for the new law, with over 65% of voters agreeing that ID should be required to ensure election integrity. However, critics argue the law disproportionately affects African American voters who are more likely to lack proper identification. Despite this, the majority of voters say they are confident in the fairness of the electoral process with these new measures in place.

Takeaways

• 😀 North Carolina voters will be required to show a photo ID starting in the 2023 municipal elections.
• 😀 A 2018 voter ID law was initially ruled unconstitutional by the state's Democratic-majority Supreme Court.
• 😀 The decision on voter ID laws was reversed after Republicans gained the majority in the state Supreme Court.
• 😀 A recent poll by the John Locke Foundation showed that over 65% of likely voters support presenting an ID to vote.
• 😀 More than 60% of voters believe requiring an ID will increase confidence in election results.
• 😀 Critics argue that voter ID laws disproportionately affect African-American voters who may face difficulties obtaining IDs.
• 😀 Governor Cooper and other Democrats have opposed the voter ID requirement, citing concerns of racial discrimination.
• 😀 96% of likely voters in the poll reported having a government-issued ID, with only 3-4% lacking one.
• 😀 Acceptable forms of voter ID include a North Carolina driver's license, U.S. passport, military ID, and more.
• 😀 Voters aged 65 and older may use expired IDs as long as they were valid when issued.
• 😀 The voter ID requirement is part of a broader societal issue of maintaining faith in the legitimacy of elections.

Q & A

What change has been implemented regarding voter ID requirements in North Carolina for the 2023 municipal elections?

Voters will now be required to show a photo ID when they vote in North Carolina, as per a new law implemented for the 2023 municipal elections.

How did North Carolina's state Supreme Court rule on the voter ID law in 2018, and what changed afterward?

In 2018, the Democratic-majority North Carolina Supreme Court ruled that the voter ID law was discriminatory and unconstitutional. However, after Republicans gained the majority in the court, they reversed that decision.

What did the John Locke Foundation's poll find regarding voter opinions on the photo ID requirement?

The John Locke Foundation's poll found that more than 65% of likely voters agreed that voters should be required to show a photo ID when casting a ballot in person.

What was surprising about the results of the John Locke Foundation's poll?

It was surprising that more than 60% of respondents said they would be more confident in election results if voter ID was required, which had not been asked in previous polls.

What societal concern did Russ Bowen highlight regarding the requirement of voter IDs?

Russ Bowen highlighted that a significant concern about the legitimacy of elections exists, and increasing confidence in the electoral process by requiring voter IDs could help address this issue.

How do some Democrats, including Governor Cooper, feel about the voter ID law?

Some Democrats, including Governor Cooper, oppose the voter ID law. Governor Cooper vetoed the original 2018 legislation, and many raised concerns about racial discrimination, particularly how it might disproportionately affect African-American voters.

What challenges do African-American voters face in relation to the voter ID requirement?

African-American voters are more likely to lack qualifying IDs and face difficulties acquiring them, which raises concerns about the fairness of the voter ID law.

What did the poll reveal about how many voters have a government-issued ID?

The poll revealed that 96% of likely voters had a government-issued ID, with only 4% (20 out of 610 people) saying they did not have one.

What are some examples of acceptable voter IDs in North Carolina?

Some acceptable forms of voter ID in North Carolina include a North Carolina driver’s license, a U.S. passport or passport card, a military or veterans ID card issued by the U.S. government, and an expired ID for voters aged 65 and older, provided the ID expired on or after its acceptance date.

Why might some voters aged 65 and older have an advantage with the voter ID law?

Voters aged 65 and older can use an expired form of acceptable ID as long as it expired on or after its original acceptance date, providing them with more flexibility in meeting the ID requirement.