David Steele Scott: Voter research needed

In the Aug. 1 news article “Judge in voting case has many questions,” you reported questions the judge had concerning the facts of the case and the theory behind voter equity.

While it is clear that the General Assembly was vindictive and aggressive in attempting to restrict the minority vote in North Carolina, the fact of that intent and the measures taken in that regard would not seem in themselves to be directed at minorities, except that experience has shown that the practices prohibited or curtailed apparently increased minority voter turnout.

I am white and live in a lightly integrated area, but I feel that early voting in particular is of benefit to everyone regardless of race and that steps should be taken to ensure that everyone has an opportunity to take advantage of it.

I think we need more research to find out why minorities prefer same-day registration and out-of-precinct voting more than white people do and whether there are logistical or administrative costs or any indication of voter fraud that would justify a restriction to those practices.

This story was originally published August 5, 2015 at 4:45 PM with the headline "David Steele Scott: Voter research needed."