Common Cause NC responds to voter ID changes

On Thursday, both chambers of the NC General Assembly voted to soften the state’s voter ID requirement, which had been among the strictest in the nation. The new changes would now make allowance for the difficulties that many North Carolina voters could face in obtaining identification for the 2016 election.
 
The following is a statement from Bob Phillips, executive director of Common Cause North Carolina, in response to yesterday’s action by the legislature.
 
“We are pleased that the legislature has taken steps to make North Carolina’s voter ID requirement less onerous than originally designed. While we are still deeply concerned about voting barriers created by the sweeping 2013 elections overhaul that included the voter ID requirement, this is a positive move in the right direction.
 
“We hope that lawmakers will similarly rethink their decision to end same-day registration and that they will restore the lost week of early voting, as well as reinstate pre-registration for 16- and 17-year-old North Carolinians.”