Voter ID critics in North Carolina have urged US District Judge Loretta Biggs not to block her own ruling against the state’s photo voter identification law during state lawmakers’ appeals. Legislative leaders had requested a stay of any forthcoming ruling against voter ID, citing the “Purcell principle” that advises against changing election rules close to an election. However, ID critics argued that this principle is not absolute and that the voter ID law has a discriminatory impact on minority voters. The lawsuit against the 2018 voter ID law challenges the ID requirement itself, provisions allowing voter challenges, and expanded use of partisan poll observers.
Biggs conducted a trial in May but has not issued a decision yet. The ruling could determine whether voter ID remains in place for the general election in November. Opponents have labeled the law as racially discriminatory, while defenders argue that it offers voters multiple options for casting ballots. Of the 1.8 million North Carolinians who voted in the March primary, 477 did not have their ballots counted because of photo ID reasons. The State Board of Elections, with a Democratic majority, supports the ID law, arguing that it has minimal impact on voters without identification.
The legal battle over North Carolina’s voter ID law has been ongoing for nearly six years, with state lawmakers defending the law following its approval in 2018. The case has faced delays due to appeals and rulings, including from the state Supreme Court. The outcome of Biggs’ ruling could greatly impact voter requirements in North Carolina moving forward.
Source
Photo credit www.carolinajournal.com