NC Senate Overrides Gov. Cooper's Veto of Voter ID

Late last Friday afternoon, Governor Cooper vetoed the voter ID bill to implement the constitutional amendment that was passed by voters with broad support this year. His only explanation for refusing to enact the will of the people? A tired rehash of unconvincing anti voter ID talking points already rejected by the voters.

Despite the Governor’s personal feelings on voter ID, the fact remains that the constitutional amendment passed with a broad mandate from North Carolinians. The Governor is putting special interests ahead of the people’s will, and that is why yesterday, the North Carolina Senate overrode the Governor’s veto.

The constitutional amendment to require voter ID passed with more than 55 percent of the vote, and we crafted implementing legislation that will secure elections while making it simple, easy, and free to obtain a photo ID for those legally eligible to vote. Despite those facts, Gov. Cooper called the bill, “designed to suppress the rights of minority, poor and elderly voters.”

In his veto message, Gov. Cooper also wrongly opined that this bill does nothing to address the absentee ballot issues that we have recently seen come to light due to questionable activities that appear to implicate candidates from both parties over multiple election cycles. However, this bill was actually amended to include a voter ID requirement for those voting by absentee ballot.

By choosing to ignore the people of N.C., Gov. Cooper has shown his personal beliefs supersede a democratic vote. North Carolinians deserve leaders they can trust to carry out their will, and that is why I am happy we were able to override the Governor’s veto. I fully anticipate that the N.C. House will follow suit today, delivering the election security that voters have overwhelmingly said they desire.

Senator Phil Berger
http://www.philberger.org/