On Tuesday, June 7 between approximately 5:45 – 6:00 p.m., the N.C. House of Representatives Appropriation committee passed the strict photo ID version of HB-351. Among other barriers to equal voting, this bill would require all voters to present a photo ID at the polls, which would be particularly disenfranchising to elderly, youth and minority voters. The bill passed on a party line vote of 50-28; of the four swing Democrats on the Appropriations committee, Rep. Tim Spear and Rep. Bill Owens voted against the bill with all the other Democrats on the committee. Rep. Jim Crawford and Rep. Bill Brisson were absent. This information is indicative of a successful veto from Gov. Bev Perdue.
At 11:30 p.m. on Wednesday, June 8, the Voter ID bill was brought before the House with no debate being allowed for the second reading. The bill passed second reading along party lines with a vote of 67-50. Speaker Tillis said that debate would be permitted for the third reading. All Democrats, including Hill, Crawford, Spear, Owens and Brisson, voted against the bill, preventing a veto-proof majority.
Update: On Thursday, June 9, the Voter ID bill passed the NC House along party lines. It will now move to be heard in the Senate. Encourage Gov. Perdue to veto this bill when it reaches her desk.
It’s not too late to voice your opinion on this bill. Contact your local representative at 919.733.4111 and Gov. Bev Perdue at 800.662.7952.
