North Carolina Governor vetoes voter ID bill
June 28, 2011
North Carolina: One day before signing twenty-four bills into law, Governor Bev Perdue vetoed a controversial House bill that passed in both chambers along party lines. House Bill 351 would have made voters in the state present photo identification when voting. Perdue said, "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."[1][2]
If the bill had passed, it would have been one of the most restrictive voter ID bills in the country. Opponents of the bill saw it as a way to disenfranchise voters, especially those historically more likely to vote for a Democratic candidate. Supporters maintained that it would help voters feel more secure in casting ballots.[1]
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