5/19/2011 – The NC House voted to slice a week off the Early Voting period by a surprisingly close 60 to 58, with six Republicans joining the Democrats’ unanimous opposition to the bill (H-658). Backers of the bill said it would save tax money and not inconvenience voters, but after the vote the State Board of Elections’ executive director indicated that both those assertions are wrong on a statewide basis. Gary Bartlett’s memo pointed out that handling more voters through Early Voting relieves the need to create more precinct polling places that must then be equipped and staffed on every Election Day at considerable expense. It’s unclear if the state Senate will adopt the proposal or roll it into an expected comprehensive package designed to make voting harder, consistent with a warped view that voting is a privilege not a basic right. Editorial writers, columnists and letter writers criticize these proposals as shameful, wasteful, partisan, and hypocritical: The new GOP leaders promised to boost jobs for North Carolina, not fixate on protecting their own job. Similar anti-voter proposals continue to make headway in other states. In North Carolina, Governor Bev Perdue can veto the measures and Republicans would need several Democrats in the state House to side with them to override a veto. The vote count on the Early Voting bill indicates a veto would easily stick.
Republican votes for this shameful bill in defiance of the State Board of Elections’ executive director’s detailed and solid refutation of the flimsy arguments made in its favor should be an strong, ongoing issue for many North Carolina elections to come. If it is put before voters effectively, they see this for what it was — an attempt at voter suppression — , and act accordingly.
Well, I like your hope Joan, but you gotta know we are dealing with a bunch of the stupidest, meanest, dumbest, dirty skunks ever known. They are a bunch of overgrown children loose in the candy store with no sense of restraint. A curse on them and all of theirs unto the third generation.
In the wake of 9.2% unemployment in our state, it behooves all legislators to refocus their energy on jobs, jobs, and jobs. We need to just continue the pressure, particularly, on those who cast their vote on the wrong side of this issue! It’s never too late for individuals to become enlightened. Hope lives!
I agree and it would be good for NC to lower taxes so that our state is competetive with neighboring states for residents and for business. How does the State of Tennessee able to accomplish all of it’s business without a state income tax? How does the state of SC accomplish it’s business with a lower tax rates than NC?