WS Chronicle

Voters cautioned to be informed of provisions in new law

The new Voter ID law on the midterm election ballot, presented as a constitutional amendment, passed in the state of North Carolina with 55 percent of voters approving the measure. A similar law was passed in 2013, but was dismissed in 2016 by federal judges that were quoted as saying the policy “targeted African-Americans with almost surgical precision.” This ruling speaks to the history of voter suppression experienced in many southern states.

Senate Bill 824, sponsored by Forsyth County Senator Joyce Krawiec, was introduced as legislation to implement the new Voter ID law. Governor Roy Cooper vetoed Senate Bill 824, stating that the bill is “a solution in search of a problem,” and said that asking voters to show a photo ID is meant to confuse and discourage voters. “The fundamental flaw in the bill is its sinister and cynical origins,” Cooper said in his veto. “It was designed to suppress the rights of minority, poor and elderly voters.” Inevitably, the veto was overridden by the current Republican-controlled state legislature with a 72-40 vote.

When the veto was nullified, the new photo ID requirements were challenged and a lawsuit was filed in Wake County Superior Court. The lawsuit also calls for a stay of rule implementation while the lawsuit is in progress. The full complaint and the motion for preliminary injunction can be viewed at https://www.southerncoalition.org/voterid/.

While the lawsuit is being fought in the court system, there should be intentional and proactive focus placed on preparations to ensure the ability of voters to participate in upcoming elections.

The North Carolina NAACP has also filed suit in federal court contending that the law contains the same discriminatory aspects of the 2013 Voter ID law that was dismissed by federal judges in 2016. The local NAACP chapter in Winston-Salem is named as a plaintiff in the lawsuit along with several local chapters.  “We do not believe in the fairness of the law,” the Rev. Alvin Carlisle, the president of the Winston-Salem NAACP, said Thursday. “We feel it disproportionately affects minorities.”  

While the lawsuit is being fought in the court system, there should be intentional and proactive focus placed on preparations to ensure the ability of voters to participate in upcoming elections.

One provision to understand in the law is how registered voters can obtain free voter photo identification cards. The county board of elections are required to provide the ID that will contain a photograph of the registered voter, the name of the registered voter, and the voter registration number for that registered voter. You must provide your name, date of birth, and the last four digits of your Social Security number to obtain the free ID.

As voters, we must be informed on everything the new law outlines. There should be a clear understanding of what photo ID will be accepted at polling locations. Voters must arm themselves with information in order to work to protect their rights at the polls.

To become informed on all the provisions outlined in the new Voter ID Law, the entire session law can be reviewed by going to https://www.ncleg.net/Sessions/2017/Bills/Senate/PDF/S824v7.pdf.

Wendy Poteat is a graduate of Guilford College with a BS in Policy Studies & Criminal Justice and a Master’s in Public Administration. She was previously the Director of Government Affairs for the Winston-Salem Chamber where she was a registered lobbyist.  Wendy is a motivational speaker, community organizer, and certified life coach.