A challenge to North Carolina’s new voter identification requirement will go to trial in state court this fall setting the stage for a possible decision before early in-person voting begins for the big November election. Superior Court Judge Michael Morgan on Monday set Sept. 26 for the trial, which could last a week or two. Morgan asked lawyers in a Wake County courtroom to confirm the Oct. 27 start date for early voting, when perspective voters must show one of several forms of photo ID. A two-week trial would give Morgan less than three weeks to rule. The ID mandate was approved in 2013 and used for the first time in the March primary and again in the June congressional primary.
The case is separate from federal lawsuits challenging the photo ID requirement and other voting changes by the General Assembly. A panel of the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals heard arguments last month on whether a lower court decision upholding all the changes should stand.
A ruling in that appeal could come soon, but Morgan said he can’t make his decisions based on what other courts may do.
“I’ll stay in my lane. I don’t know what else is going to be done by any other entities or persons,” Morgan said from the bench. “I will move this matter forward as expeditiously as possible.”
Full Article: September date set for NC voter ID state trial.