GOP legislative leaders released their draft bill yesterday on a photo identification mandate in North Carolina.
They will meet Monday to discuss the measure and here from various stakeholders, but there is not yet a planned public comment period for North Carolinians — who voted to pass the constitutional amendment in the first place — to weigh in on what they’d like to see.
NC Policy Watch detailed some of what voting rights advocates had to say about such a bill, but several individuals also responded yesterday to a Twitter question about what advice they would give lawmakers moving forward with legislation. Here are a few of their comments:
This is the letter I wrote to my state senator and representative. pic.twitter.com/vGfJvIi5b2
— Jeffrey T (@theJeffreyT) November 20, 2018
ISSUE VOTER REGISTRATION CARDS THAT INCLUDE PHOTO.
My Costco membership card has a picture, how hard can this be?
— David Taylor (@DavidTa84534406) November 20, 2018
Better make sure they have ID machines in vans reaching out to EVERY community and better be free. Then when they go home in 2 years we abolish the amendment.
— angertoaction (@evanderrva) November 20, 2018
Free ID issued same-day at all polling places?
— Geoffrey Wilson (@suprjinx) November 20, 2018
Use all the schools as polling stations on election day for easier accessibility. Minimal ID necessary. Stop oppressing the vote and gerrymandering the state. It’s embarrassing to always see your state used as an example of what NOT to do ??
— kg (@TheKristyGray) November 20, 2018
Enable many forms of picture ID, make a process for people to get an ID if they don’t have conventionally required docs to get a DL (like BC) for free.
— Devon Newton (@Devo525) November 20, 2018
If a Voter ID requirement is going to make NC DMV an even more integral part of the overall mechanics of voting in NC — a suspect piece of public policy at best — DMV funding must be increased substantially.
— PressLaw in Raleigh (@PresslawR) November 20, 2018
Please don’t violate the constitution again.
— Lucus Lyons (@lucuslyons) November 20, 2018
Go enjoy the holiday season and let us enjoy it too. Come back in January with a clear head, new ideas from new reps, & take the time that is required to deeply analyze & test the process. Not rushing could save us all a bunch of headaches, lawsuits and money for the next 2 yrs.
— Stronger NC (@StrongerNc) November 20, 2018