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See photos from the Respect Our Vote Rally held on July 13, 2011 in Raleigh!

Public Advocacy for Voter Protection

The League is working to:

1. Oppose ID and Documentary Proof of Citizenship
2. Improve Administration of Statewide Voter Database Systems
3. Guard Against Undue Restrictions on Voter Registration
4. Improve Polling Place Management
5. Improve Poll Worker Training and Strengthening Poll Workers

LWV Charlotte Mecklenburg sent a letter to the Charlotte Observer in opposition to the proposed voter ID legislation. We understand that the legislature is planning to move ahead with this legislation. Now is a good time for interested Local Leagues to be getting articles into their newspapers. (from Peg Chapin)

Democracy NC has done research that shows there are over 460,000 active North Carolina voters who do not have a current photo ID and would be affected by this legislation.

We are winning the battle to stop voter photo ID legislation in North Carolina

Tuesday, March 15th’s public hearing was inspirational. Speakers and advocates from all walks of life came to Raleigh to explain why voter ID = voter suppression. Thanks to each of you that participated in the hearing. It was yet another reality check for voter suppression forces: we will not sit quietly while you spread rumors and lie in an attempt to disenfranchise tens of thousands of people! People all over NC are mobilizing against the Voter Suppression Act of 2011 and saying Stop Photo ID: Respect Our Vote!

The next House Elections Committee meeting will be Wednesday, March 23 at 1:00pm in Room 643 LOB. At this point, we don't know if there will be a vote on HB-351 on Wednesday, however, there will definitely be discussion on the bill and we need to have a presence at the meeting. There may even be opportunities for more public comment. If you can attend, please do so. If you cannot attend, you can listen to audio of the meeting online. We expect there to be a new version of the bill with some modifications presented to the committee. You can continue to send / read comments to the committee at: http://www.ncleg.net/gascripts/documentsites/browsedocsite.asp?nid=138 .

Widespread news coverage (some better than others) has also brought greater attention to the voter ID debate. Please continue to submit letters to the editor. Feel free to email me if you need updated talking points.

Here are just a few links to news coverage in recent days: The Associated Press news story, the WUNC-Radio news story, the Asheville Citizen-Times editorial, the Raleigh News & Observer editorial, the Wilmington Star-News editorial, and the Charlotte Observer editorial.

In addition, Democracy NC continues to post new information on their website and Common Cause NC has videos and other good stuff on their HBCU projects website.

Adam Sotak
Democracy North Carolina

Find out more about House Bill 351

Voter ID lobbying day, February 16, 2011 got the attention of lawmakers and the media.

More resources are available at:

• LWVUS
• Brennan Center
• Electionline.org
• Project Vote