Current Event #8: Is there need for new voter fraud laws in North Carolina?

       A current issue in the Legislature of North Carolina is voter fraud. The law that was proposed to eliminate this concern was a law saying that voters must provide a photo ID when going to vote in state offices. This law would not be applied until the 2016 election but it would require a test run in the 2014 election. On one hand the enforcing of a stricter voting law is a good way for the state of North Carolina to take control of fraud and impersonations regarding to voting. Yet, on the other hand, a law like this may be difficult to pass without rising more concerns from the people. 

       A similar law was passed in Georgia resulting to those without drivers licenses demanding that ID be provided by the state. It would cost the state millions of dollars to provide proper identification to those who are eligible. It would cost millions more to hire people to advertise and make sure that voters know and understand the new law. 

       Another issue that may arise is the use of student IDs as proper identification. The state might have to also provide IDs to students. Because student IDs at private colleges are not government-issued, as public college IDs are, they would not be considered usable as ID to vote. Although fraud laws are needed, a law such as this should be thought out before being passed to ensure that it does not have a negative impact on North Carolina's budget.

Photo from:: (http://www.propublica.org/article/everything-youve-ever-wanted-to-know-about-voter-id-laws) ::Accessed on April 28th, 2013

 

                                                     --Arishonne Frye^_^