Senate Approves Bill Requiring Photo ID to Vote | Eastern North Carolina Now

Press Release:

    Raleigh, N.C.     The North Carolina Senate on Wednesday tentatively passed a hugely popular, common-sense provision that requires North Carolinians to show a photo ID when they vote.

    House Bill 589 establishes a list of valid government-issued photo IDs - including driver's licenses, non-operator ID cards, tribal and military IDs and passports - that voters can present at their polling places. It allows any North Carolina citizen without a valid photo ID to obtain one at no cost through the Department of Motor Vehicles, quashing arguments that this could somehow disenfranchise voters.

    The proposal also outlines a gradual implementation timeline, beginning with the 2014 elections, for informing voters and enacting the photo ID requirement, until the law is fully enforced in 2016. An Elon University poll from earlier this year showed that over 72 percent of North Carolina residents support requiring voters to show photo ID before being allowed to vote.

    Below is a statement from Senate President Pro Tempore Phil Berger (R-Rockingham):

    "A measure that restores confidence in our election process and ensures voters are who they say they are is a no-brainer - and nearly three-quarters of North Carolinians agree. This bill will bring North Carolina in line with the majority of other states that already require voter ID."

    President Pro Tempore Senator Phil Berger

    2007 Legislative Building
    Raleigh, N.C. 27601

    (919) 733-5708


    Contacts:

     Amy Auth, (919) 301-1737  •  Shelly Carver (919) 301-1744