With the Supreme Court’s recent decision on altering the Voting Rights Act, additional restrictions could be enacted in parts of
Last month, the Supreme Court voted 5-4 to repeal Section 4 of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, deeming the need of the Justice Department’s civil rights division or the D.C. federal court to change voting laws unconstitutional.
As a result, some state legislators are trying to put several plans in effect which could hinder voters, including requiring photo ID, eliminating Sunday voting, a limit on early voting days and no same-day registration. Many of these resources benefited President Barack Obama, who won both of his elections with huge margins in early voting.
“I would not look upon those as restrictions,” N.C. Sen. Louis Pate, R-Wayne, said. “I would call them safeguards. I think same-day registration is fraught with danger because people who are unauthorized to vote can get away with it, as there’s no way to check authenticity. Information is necessary and needs to be on appropriate documentation.”
Pate said he has proof there has been illegal voting in
“I’ve gotten affidavits from people saying their vote had been exorcised when they got to the polling place,” he said. “There should be a way of proving who a person is before they vote.”
Pate went on to say early voting — which lasted for 16 days in 2012 — should be cut down.
“I think we tend to keep the polls too long and we can trim that to 12 days,” Pate said. “It costs the counties quite a bit.”
There is some opposition to the possible changes. Shirley Richmond — N.C. Correspondent Secretary for Democratic Women — feels like there will be serious consequences if the laws are enacted.
“I feel like this is a step backwards, saying we don’t have the same problems from years ago,”
John Nix — co-owner of Matrix East and president of the CSS Neuse Foundation — was part of the case against the Department of Justice that eventually got Section 4 repealed. Nix feels like a form of photo identification is necessary for all voters.
“There’s no reason we there shouldn’t be a need for photo ID,” Nix said. “We need it to cash checks, board trains and get on planes. It’s a way of life. I feel there isn’t a need for any accusation about the government suppressing voters or limiting the ability for some people to vote. There is legislation that will be provided as well as means to obtain picture ID.”
Nix also said there have been several cases in
“I have worked at polls and seen someone try to vote under two separate names,” Nix said. “I know it happens, which is why I don’t think there should be a hassle with asking for picture ID and eliminating same-day registration.”