Diana Kwiatek: Barriers to voting

I am a recently naturalized U.S. citizen living in Cary since 2008. I excitedly registered to vote following my naturalization ceremony in Durham.

I received my voter registration card and a letter from Rep. Gale Adcock congratulating me on my citizenship and voter registration. Two days later, I received a letter from Wake County informing me that I am ineligible to vote unless I submit my N.C. driver’s license, last four digits of my Social Security number and a bank statement, paycheck or government document.

Seriously? I feel that it is obvious that North Carolina is simply trying to make it more challenging for naturalized citizens to vote. This is not consistent with the ideals of this country, President Obama’s naturalization ceremony message and Adcock’s letter.

Naturalized citizens spend countless hours completing government forms, attending pass/fail interviews, paying a lot of money and undergoing extreme stress to pursue their U.S. citizenship.

I worry North Carolina’s voter registration enrollment process will only disenfranchise these naturalized citizens. They have worked tirelessly to gain their U.S. citizenship and the ability to participate in this country’s great democracy. Yet, right when they think they crossed the finish line, North Carolina rejects the application. This is wrong and unconstitutional!

This story was originally published October 8, 2016 at 6:00 PM with the headline "Diana Kwiatek: Barriers to voting."