DURHAM, N.C., 12/14/18 — On Friday, Gov. Roy Cooper vetoed a bill (Senate Bill 824) that provides details of a strict photo identification requirement to vote in person in North Carolina, calling the legislation “a solution in search of a problem.”
Democracy North Carolina Executive Director Tomas Lopez released the following statement in response, praising the governor’s veto of a bill that accepts some photo IDs but not others, and appears to have biases for certain IDs that, like the last photo ID law, could be used to discriminate against voters based on their race, income, age, gender and mobility.
“Governor Roy Cooper’s veto of Senate Bill 824 sends a strong message to lawmakers that North Carolina voters deserve better. This strict photo ID restriction legislation was sent to Gov. Cooper without sufficient legislative debate, public input, nor adequate funding for such a sweeping change that would inevitably make voting more difficult for eligible North Carolina voters, especially voters of color and those who are a part of other marginalized communities. We hope today’s veto is sustained.”
Democracy North Carolina had opposed the strict photo ID bill and encouraged the public to contact the governor in support of the veto.Â
Democracy North Carolina is a statewide nonpartisan organization that uses research, organizing, and advocacy to increase civic participation, reduce the influence of big money in politics, and remove systemic barriers to voting and serving in elected office.