North Carolina On Cusp Of Passing Worst Voter Suppression Bill In The Nation

[mollywobbles867]

Voting in North Carolina may soon change, much in the same way a wrecking ball changes a building

Comments

[roseofjuly]

Wait, people can actually challenge other people's voting privileges? On what the fuck basis? Can they just roll up and be like "I think they're illegal!"?

The one against the ages is specifically targeted at lowering the number of young people turning out for Democrats in the state. Prohibiting paid registration drives does the same thing for the poor citizens.

They're mad because NC was too close to going blue in 2012 for them.

[beoweasel]

Wait, people can actually challenge other people's voting privileges? On what the fuck basis? Can they just roll up and be like "I think they're illegal!"

Yeah, they can, they can accuse the person of committing voter fraud by trying to vote multiple times. While this form of fraud was seen as a problem back in the 19th Century, isn't particularly viable now due to much, much larger population densities.

[moonshaz]

They're mad because NC was too close to going blue in 2012 for them.

You got that right. Except I would change "mad" to "butt hurt"!

[tinylegacies]

Some of these are really shitty, but some of them I thought were fairly standard. Like no same-day registration - I'm pretty sure you can't do that in PA or MD. Same with early voting (though MD may have passed that since I moved). Also, the only being able to vote in your precinct thing. I've worked the polls in PA a few times and we had cards for all of the eligible, registered voters in our precinct and they were the only people who could vote at that site.

[d00ditsemily]

Same-day registration, early voting and early voting/same-day registration outside of your precinct is huge in NC. Every day I'd see lines out the doors for early voting out in my town in NC.

[moonshaz]

We don't have same-day registration in IL, either (and I wish we did). but we've had early voting for a few years now, and you better believe there would be a hell of an outcry if it was suddenly taken away.

THAT is what's so especially shitty about this; they're TAKING AWAY things people have been used to having and really like.

[beuk]

Same-day registration may not be common, but can't you see why it's a good thing? Shoot.

[astridmyrna]

If you can't beat 'em, suppress 'em!

[policraticus]

Implementing a strict voter ID requirement

I'm on board for this. I have to show ID to buy cigarettes, booze, porn and drive. Even when I use my unsigned ATM card at the supermarket they have to make sure that I am who I say I am. It is a ubiquitous part of modern life. Having to show it to vote seems a small thing. Establish a non-driver's photo ID, offer subsidies to the very poor and call it a day.

Eliminating same-day voter registration

If same-day registration in NC means that you then vote normally, then I am for its elimination. There is too much opportunity for abuse. If the same-day registration means you cast a provisional vote which is approved after your registration is vetted, then I am against its elimination. Giving people who have recently moved or who recently decided to vote a chance to do so quickly and easily seems like a no-brainer.

Cutting early votingI hate early voting. I have come to mistrust even absentee voting. The reason we vote on one day is that the campaign should last until the vote is

[homasse]

You know part of why early voting was allowed was because, get this, some people have to WORK on election day? And as for weekends, guess what? Some people have to work weekends, both days, too!

And go on, tell me about this "abuse" from same-day registration and voting. This will be good.

[policraticus]

You know what? I don't care. I have to work, I work a lot, 12-15 hours isn't unusual. Even on election day. You know what I do? I organize my day so I get to the polls early, cast my vote and then have the day to myself. Its called responsibility. I think the idea of expanding the vote to a full weekend is more than generous. It strikes a balance. If you can't be bothered to find an hour or so out of a 3 day weekend to go and vote, you can't be bothered to vote. It isn't like election days are sprung on you out of the blue with no notice. They aren't a pop quiz.

If you can't figure out a way to game same-day registration, then I feel sorry for you. As I said, if it is a provisional ballot that will be counted after the registration is verified, then I have no problem with it. In fact, I think it is a good thing.

[lamardeuse]

Yeah, tell that to all the black and brown people in the last election who had to work a full day and THEN wait hours and hours in line because the racists who controlled the states they were voting in didn't properly staff the polling places in their neighborhoods to handle the turnout. Of course, they waited until they could vote, sometimes until the early hours of the morning, because they were not going to let anyone tell them they couldn't vote. With this bill, they won't be able to even do that, because the polls will be closed no matter what.

[lamardeuse]

That's a lot of words. They should have just made the law read, "if you're a Democrat, don't even fucking bother trying to vote, 'cuz we won't let you." Much simpler.