Voter fraud in North Carolina is virtually nonexistent, and less than 100 people nationwide were convicted of election fraud from 2002-2007. But the new Republican state legislative majority still wants to require IDs to vote, a move that has disenfranchised voters and decreased turnout in other states. A voter ID law would also do nothing to stop the little fraud that has occurred, most of which involves submitting fraudulent absentee ballots or ballot box stuffing.

Conservatives have long claimed that voter fraud has been rampant, but have failed to show any evidence. When Les Merritt, the former Republican state auditor, called for the state Senate to not have a vote on expanding one-stop early voting, he cited claims of voter fraud. When he failed to come up with even one case, the bill passed. The General Assembly is engaging in a recklessly partisan endeavor that will lead to disenfranchisement of minorities, the poor and the elderly in North Carolina.

David Winegar

Cary