North Carolina is poised to pass sweeping restrictive voting laws in the wake of the Supreme Court’s Voting Rights Act decision.
Via: Chris Seward / AP
North Carolina legislators are considering a revised voter ID bill, supported by Republicans who control the state Legislature, that would would place sweeping new restrictions on when, where and how citizens can vote.
Because of past evidence of discrimination against African Americans, North Carolina was among the states previously required by Section 5 of the 1965 Voting Rights Act to get federal approval before voting changes could be put into place. The Supreme Court struck down a key provision of the Act in June – and North Carolina lawmakers immediately started measures to tighten rules for voter identification and voting times.
Republicans claim that the restrictions in House Bill 589, named "VIVA," are necessary to combat "rampant" and "undetected" voter fraud. "People need to have confidence in the fact that everyone only votes once, and that their vote matters, and establish integrity in the electoral process," state Sen. Bob Rucho told the Associated Press. "I would hope we can pass this bill and re-establish a level of integrity and confidence in the electoral system."
Democrats and voting rights groups argue that there is little evidence of such widespread voter fraud. The North Carolina Board of Elections reports that only 121 alleged cases of voter fraud were reported during the 2012 general election -- approximately 0.00174% of the 6.9 million votes cast.
The early voting period will be shortened by a week, from 17 days to 10. Same-day registration during the early voting period will be eliminated.
Via: Mike Spencer / AP
