To ID or not to ID: The question NC voters may have to answer

Require voting

Regarding “NC voter ID question could appear on November ballot” (June 8): In the 2016 election in North Carolina, 4,769,640 votes were cast. Only one was found to be fraudulent, so that must mean that voter fraud is not a problem.

Would someone please tell that to state Senate leader Phil Berger? He recently said that according to a poll, 75 percent of North Carolinian’s want a voter ID law. I would be curious about the poll questions .

My proposal is far different from our legislature’s draconian one. We should enact a law that requires all citizens of legal age to vote. If they don’t, then fine them $100. Collecting it through tax returns or vehicle registration would be easy.

More than likely, our budget deficit would end in a year. But more than that, “We the people” would finally be heard by the General Assembly and perhaps they would understand that the truth and facts matter to most of us.

‘Unfair edge’

Regarding “Voter ID is back in NC, and the justifications are as lame as ever” (June 9): Democrats are not stupid but I, for one, challenge their integrity. They know full well the fight against voter ID is to give the Democratic candidates an unfair edge.

No sound reason can be given by liberals to thwart voter ID. Remember the truly lame excuse of the Democrats about it being a financial “burden?” The Republicans offered to make it free. The Dems held to their weak assertion.

All must have ID to just visit the doctor. Every time I am asked for my photo ID I think about how utterly ridiculous it is that we do not have voter ID.

ID ‘costs’

Regarding “NC voter ID question could appear on November ballot” (June 8): The General Assembly is considering a bill that will place on the November ballot a constitutional amendment for voter ID. Because this will suppress voting, we must think carefully about whether voter ID benefits outweigh its costs.

Many people think the ID requirement is a good idea – or at least that it will do no harm. Yet, there are costs. It will especially affect women who change their names because of marital status. Many voting-age young people postpone getting a license if they cannot afford a car and insurance. Others without drivers’ licenses will find it difficult to get transportation and money for obtaining identification papers.

The worst harm is that it will cost enormous amounts of money to design and implement new systems and processes as well as to hire and train personnel.

Yet, as verified by the NC Board of Elections, voter ID will not fix problems in our elections system. Only one irregularity in the NCSBE audit of 2016 could have been prevented by voter ID. Our public funds are needed for improving equipment, implementing data sharing, and adding expertise to combat cyber hacking – these will address the real problems.

Trade?

Regarding “NC voter ID question could appear on November ballot” (June 8): Once again the Republican majority in the NC House are going to attempt to protect the integrity of the voting process. Many have stated that there are thousands to millions of fraudulent votes cast in recent elections, yet Republican officeholders predominate.

Logic would then lead me to question whether current office holders are legitimate. As for me, I would give the conservatives voter ID in exchange for an independent commission to end gerrymandering.

ID access

Regarding the letter to the editor “ID struggles” (June 11): Maybe we should be helping people obtain IDs instead of fighting ID voter registration . Passing the ID registration law will make it easier for those not having an ID to get an ID.

An ID is required to see a doctor, be admitted to a hospital, enter many government buildings, register to receive many of the benefits available to lower-income people, open bank accounts and obtain credit. As a volunteer tax return preparer I cannot even complete tax returns for low-income people and retirees for free without the taxpayer having an ID.

It’s time to help, not hinder, our neighbors who are in need of our assistance.

‘One too many’

Regarding “NC voter ID question could appear on November ballot” (June 8): This country needs voter ID. We are required to show ID for everything else and it’s ridiculous to claim that certain groups would not be able to vote because of this requirement.

I’m all for transparency, accountability and honesty. Voter ID would ensure each election truly reflects the will of the American people. One fraudulent vote is one too many.

ID not needed

Regarding “NC voter ID question could appear on November ballot” (June 8): The voter ID constitutional amendment is a naked attempt by Republicans to create a wedge issue that will turn out their voters. It is a solution in search of a problem.

In the last election, only 0.01 percent of votes were found to be cast illegally, with most of those cast by people voting while serving sentences for felonies, a problem that should be solved by taking them off the voter rolls.

The ID requirement will make it harder for primarily older folks as well as minorities to vote.

This story was originally published June 16, 2018 at 9:28 AM with the headline "To ID or not to ID: The question NC voters may have to answer."