AARP expresses concerns over voter ID impact

This is from this week’s AARP NC “News from the Capital” e-newsletter:

Photo ID Requirement May Impact Older Voters

Legislation requiring photo identification in order to vote is expected to be introduced in the General Assembly in the first week of the session.  Election officials state that voter fraud occurs with less than five votes out of every million cast.  AARP is concerned that this requirement may establish barriers for older adults and people with disabilities who may not have a driver’s license or other photo identification. Many residents of assisted living facilities or nursing homes do not have photo IDs. 

If legislation is established requiring photo identification, the State of North Carolina should be responsible for paying for any costs associated with obtaining an ID.  A greater opportunity for voter fraud is with absentee voting, since these voters do not have to show any ID, or appear before an election official.  Voting illegally in North Carolina is a felony under the current law, and voters are required to provide identification to register to vote.”

You wouldn’t think the new legislative leaders would want to pick a fight with the large and influential nonprofit for folks 50 and older, but given their clumsy and ideological start thus far, anything is possible.