McCrory scaremongering trashes NC Constitution

Submitted by James on Fri, 07/15/2011 - 12:48pm

Myers Park Pat shifts into campaign mode, pandering to the racist right. Via email.

We go to the bank to cash a check and we have to show a photo ID. We're asked to show a photo ID when we board a plane or even to attend a movie. In some cases we have to show an ID to buy certain types of cold medicine, or even a can of spray paint. But in North Carolina, we don't have to show a photo ID when we go to vote for our state and national leaders.

And for good reason. There's no evidence of voter fraud in North Carolina. None. And even if there were, Voter ID is a constitutionally impermissible barrier to the exercise of voting rights, designed by Republicans to solve a problem that doesn't exist.

From Watauga Watch

Article VI, Section 1 of the North Carolina Constitution: "Every person born in the United States and every person who has been naturalized, 18 years of age, and possessing the qualifications set out in this Article, SHALL BE ENTITLED TO VOTE at any election by the people of the State, except as herein otherwise provided.”

Article VI goes on to establish the "herein otherwise provided," outlining that those who are citizens, those who’ve lived in their precinct for at least 30 days, and those who are not felons may register to vote and are eligible to vote.

There is no word there about having to show an i.d. and, in fact, there is instead an explicit declaration that registered voters “SHALL BE ENTITLED TO VOTE EXCEPT AS HEREIN OTHERWISE PROVIDED.”

Article VI, Section 3 says, “Every person offering to vote shall be at the time legally registered as a voter as herein prescribed and in the manner provided by law. The General Assembly shall enact general laws governing the registration of voters.”

In other words, the state’s Constitution allows legislative laws to govern voter registration, but it does not grant the authority to legislate for additional requirements for casting a vote by a legally registered voter, like state-issued photo i.d.s.

No one is trying to steal your vote, except for the NC GOP.

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Show us your papers Pat!

Submitted by Connie Mack Berry Jr on Fri, 07/15/2011 - 1:50pm.

We go to the bank to cash a check and we have to show a photo ID. We're asked to show a photo ID when we board a plane or even to attend a movie. In some cases we have to show an ID to buy certain types of cold medicine, or even a can of spray paint. But in North Carolina, we don't have to show a photo ID when we go to vote for our state and national leaders* Gestapo Pat

Spoken like a true police state Brownshit ... oops

North Carolina Nazis

Submitted by Connie Mack Berry Jr on Fri, 07/15/2011 - 2:07pm.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zv5RXPHEn5c&feature=related

Calling Bob Orr

Submitted by James on Fri, 07/15/2011 - 2:12pm.

Poor Bob. He's just like Justice Roberts, splitting hairs in favor of his Republican master rather than in strict interpretation.

Finally, does the requirement that a potential voter present some identification that he or she is in fact the person registered present any constitutional problem? And if not, what would be an acceptable means of verifying the identity? If the proposed legislation is couched in terms of a valid means of confirming identity, and the election official has the statutory responsibility to request and require such a confirmation, then it would seem that the Photo ID or any other legitimate means of identification would be constitutionally acceptable. Current law simply requires that the election official request the name and address of the potential voter to make sure that person is registered. If they are registered then the voter must sign the poll book or other type of official document. It appears that there is no current statutory requirement to verify a voter’s true identity beyond that described. While this may fall within the "hairsplitting nuances" of lawyering, it is an important distinction. If the Photo ID is a "qualification" for voting then I would predict troubled waters ahead if and when the issue goes to court. On the other hand, if election officials are simply required to be sure that people presenting themselves as properly registered voters are in fact who they say they are, it is not constitutionally unsound to require that verification - whether through Photo ID's or other methods.

Do good. Be nice. Have fun.

If and when this issue goes to court?

Submitted by James on Fri, 07/15/2011 - 2:16pm.

Duh? This issue, if passed and sustained, will indeed go to court.

Next up, Mr. Orr will be in favor of retinal scanning at the polls to ensure that only blue-eyed white people of German descent can get into the voting booth.

Do good. Be nice. Have fun.