Stopping Grandma from voting?

A message to all members of HKactivists

Today is the opening of the 2011-2012 North Carolina General Assembly session. Sadly, the newly elected majority may start off this legislative session with an unnecessary and costly proposal that could disenfranchise tens of thousands of registered voters in North Carolina. Tell Governor Perdue to use her veto power to stop any attempts to add new barriers to voting that could disenfranchise thousands in NC: http://action.ncconservationnetwork.org/voterid Some legislators will be quickly pushing a bill that would require a government-issued photo ID be shown each time you vote. One recent estimate says that over 400,000 registered voters in North Carolina do not have a photo ID. It’s critical that all registered voters are heard so that important issues, like clean water and clean energy, are given proper attention on Election Day. A new photo ID law for voters would disenfranchise students, people with disabilities, senior citizens and others who don’t drive or have a photo ID. Imagine the case of a grandmother who has vision problems and stopped driving her car 3 years ago. She no longer has a valid driver’s license in North Carolina and shows up to vote at the same precinct she’s voted at the past 30 years. But if this proposal becomes law, without a photo ID, she would be sent home without voting. We expect that Governor Perdue will be critical on this issue as the new Republican majority has said that they hope to pass this proposal very quickly. It’s critical that she hears from voters like you today: http://action.ncconservationnetwork.org/voterid Those calling for new barriers to voting cite the "problem" of voter fraud, but North Carolina elections expert Bob Hall recently wrote that: "It’s already a felony to lie when you sign in to vote in North Carolina or to vote illegally. Partisan poll observers and others can challenge voters, and an ID with a verified address is required to register in the first place. These and other provisions are effective. Cases of fraud that a photo ID would prevent are extremely rare – only 18 cases out of 4.3 million ballots cast in NC in 2008, says the State Board of Elections. Extensive national studies show that voter impersonation happens so rarely, in states with or without a photo ID requirement, that it’s more a matter of gossip than reality. In truth, you are more likely to be hit with lightning than have somebody vote in your name." Tell Gov. Perdue to veto this bad idea that could keep thousands of students, working families, and senior citizens from voting on Election Day:  http://action.ncconservationnetwork.org/voterid   Become a "fan" of the NC Conservation Network and tell your Facebook friends about the latest issues, events, and actions to protect North Carolina’s air, land, and water. Click here to become a fan or click here to create a Facebook profile. Invite your friends and family to receive these action alerts, or help support our work by donating online today! 19 East Martin St., Suite 300, Raleigh, NC 27601 / 919.857.4699 / info[at]ncconservationnetwork.org

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