North Carolina voters do not need a photo ID to vote in 2014

Press release

From the Voting Rights Project:

North Carolina voters do not need a photo ID to vote in the 2014 primary or general election. Voters will be asked for a photo ID in the 2014 and 2015 but cannot be prevented from voting if they do not have a photo ID. There has been a lot of media coverage regarding photo ID since the passage of the Voter Integrity and Verification Act (VIVA) in the summer of 2013. Media coverage in the last few weeks has renewed interest in photo ID as the State starts to implement components of the law and the NC DMV prepares to provide voter photo IDs at no charge. While these IDs are now accessible, voters do not need them to vote in 2014.

There are significant changes to voting in 2014 that voters do need to know about:
1) Early Voting will be reduced from 17 to 10 days. For the 2014 primary, Early Voting runs from April 24 and run through May 3rd. The Buncombe County Board of Elections will determine the locations and hours for Early Voting.
2) There is NO same-day registration. Everyone must be registered 25 days before Election Day. The deadline for registering for the Primary Election is April 11th. Previously you could register to vote and cast your ballot on the same day during the early voting period.
3) On Election Day you can only vote at your precinct. You will not be allowed to vote at the wrong precinct on Election Day. Previously you could request a provisional ballot.
4) There are changes to Absentee Voting including the need for 2 witnesses or a notary public to sign the absentee ballot for it to be valid.
5) The law allows for additional partisan poll observers and any voter in the county can challenge any other voter; you no longer have to be in the same precinct to challenge a voter.

The League of Women Voters will host a “Voter Corps” training on Tuesday, February 18, 2014 at 6pm at the West Asheville Library (942 Haywood Road). Voter Corps is a program created specifically to address issues in WNC regarding the new voting law, VIVA. This training will discuss numerous volunteer opportunities, including voter education and outreach, nonpartisan rides to the polls, Election Day observation and data collection, monitoring state and local implementation of the new law, and much more. The event is free and open to the public.

The League of Women Voters of Asheville-Buncombe County is a nonpartisan political organization that encourages informed and active participation in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues and influences public policy through education and advocacy. The League never supports or opposes candidates or political parties. For more information about the League or about upcoming events, visit ablwv.org or call 828-258-8223.

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About Lea McLellan
Lea McLellan is a freelance writer who likes to write stories about music, art, food, wellness and interesting locals doing interesting things.

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0 thoughts on “North Carolina voters do not need a photo ID to vote in 2014

  1. joe everyman

    Why would I need a ID that does NOT make sense. I always vote for myself, my father and my brother. All I need is their name, and address. Since their my family, I doubt they mind. If, an ID was required that would make it a lot harder, so let’s keep this law unchanged. And re-elect Hagan to the senate!

  2. bsummers

    Every time we ask for proof of voter fraud that would warrant making it harder for poor, minority, senior, or college student voters to vote, all we get is crickets. The real reason:

    “If it hurts a bunch of lazy blacks that want the government to give them everything, so be it.

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