After a federal judge struck down much of North Carolina’s controversial voter ID law back in July, one provision remained, and it might have the most powerful effect on this November’s election–especially in local races all over the state. The 2013 law eliminated straight-ticket voting, meaning that in the November election, for the first time, you’ll no longer be able to fill out one bubble to vote all-Democrat, or all-Republican. Technically, you’ve always had to fill out two bubbles in North Carolina, since the vote for president has required a separate vote since the 1960s. This provision might lower vote totals, and make for tighter local races on November 8.
“I would think it would hurt [election results]” said Chris Cooper, professor and department head of political science at Western Carolina University. “You have this thing in elections called ballot roll-off, where you tend to vote at the top of ticket, but down towards the end when it comes to the race for dog catcher, you’re less likely to vote,” Cooper said.
… Advocates of eliminating straight-ticket voting say it reduces partisan divides and forces voters to learn about the candidates.
Full Article: No more straight-ticket option in voting booths this November | WLOS.