Over protests that they would effectively disenfranchise thousands of voters, the state Senate Wednesday night passed a bill that would require voters to show a photo ID. The bill passed along party lines 31-19. It now goes back to the House for agreement on minor changes.
Meanwhile a House committee passed a bill that includes sweeping changes in election law, including eliminating Sunday early voting and same-day registration.
Both bills are expected to get final approval this week and go on to Gov. Bev Perdue, a Democrat.
“Requiring voters to show a photo ID will boost their confidence and increase participation at the polls – two things the governor should join most North Carolinians in supporting,” Senate GOP Leader Phil Berger of Rockingham said in a statement. “If she is serious about protecting the integrity of elections instead of scoring political points with her liberal base, she will sign this bill.”
Senate Democrats invoked the old Jim Crow laws in criticizing the bill.
Democratic Sen. Dan Blue of Wake County passed out copies of an old poll tax. He called it “a throwback to what happened in this state between 1900 and 1965.”
Full Article: Voter ID requirement passes Senate – Elections – NewsObserver.com.