North Carolina Governor moves to protect voters

Jun 24, 2011

A voter-ID bill that passed the Republican-controlled North Carolina state legislature has been vetoed by Governor Bev Perdue. The bill, similar to ones that have been found in various other states, would have required voters to present certain types of photo ID at polling locations. Identification measures would have also been required to cast provisional ballots as well.

The Governor, who stated that she believed that the bill would “unnecessarily and unfairly disenfranchise many eligible and legitimate voters” called upon the state legislature to pass a bill that protects voting rights rather than crafting legislation that would take them away

Please read below for the full release.

Governor Perdue Vetoes House Bill 351
Calls on Legislature to Pass Bill that Protects Votes Instead of Taking Them Away

Gov. Bev Perdue today vetoed House Bill 351 and issued the following statement:

“The right to choose our leaders is among the most precious freedoms we have – both as Americans and North Carolinians. North Carolinians who are eligible to vote have a constitutionally guaranteed right to cast their ballots, and no one should put up obstacles to citizens exercising that right.

“We must always be vigilant in protecting the integrity of our elections. But requiring every voter to present a government-issued photo ID is not the way to do it. This bill, as written, will unnecessarily and unfairly disenfranchise many eligible and legitimate voters. The legislature should pass a less extreme bill that allows for other forms of identification, such as those permitted under federal law.

“There was a time in North Carolina history when the right to vote was enjoyed only by some citizens rather than by all. That time is past, and we should not revisit it.

“Therefore, I veto this bill.”

Without this veto, North Carolina would have been the sixth state to pass this type of legislation — instead, it has now become the first southern state where a Governor has vetoed such measures.

Other states where similar legislation has been introduced and then vetoed include Minnesota and Montana, with a vote pending in Missouri.

North Carolina Governor Vetoes Photo ID Voter Bill

Governor Vetoes Voter ID Bill