As the State Board of Elections is preparing to hold a series of regional public hearings to solicit public comment on proposed voter ID rules, NAACP chapters want to inform the public on the issues and encourage them to attend the public hearing that will be held in Sylva. 

In 2013, the General Assembly passed new voter laws, which require the use of a photo ID when voting in person at the polls in 2016. The law states the photo ID must “reasonably resemble” the voter. These hearings will help determine what constitutes a reasonable resemblance. 

The proposed changes to the N.C. voter laws have been controversial and are being legally challenged by several voting rights organizations — including the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People — for violating the federal Voting Rights Act.

“There is considerable confusion over what kind of photo ID will be allowed; student IDs are not acceptable, but tribal enrollment cards are. People who vote by absentee ballot are not required to show a photo ID, yet absentee voting is much more susceptible to voter fraud than by voting in person,” said Enrique Gomez, Jackson County NAACP president. “The historic mission of the NAACP has been focused on voting rights, including voter registration and education. We are concerned that a ‘confused’ voter will be a non-voter, and we are committed to clarifying these new laws, starting with our May 29 workshop.”

Jackson County NAACP will hold a voter ID workshop form 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, May 29, at the Jackson County Library Community Room. 

Darlene Azarmi, western field organizer, will make presentations with Democracy NC, on the implications and impacts of voter ID in the state. Kirk Stephens with the Jackson County Board of Education will discuss rules pertaining to voter ID. There will also be a brief historical review of voting rights in North Carolina and updates on legal challenges to the current new voter laws.

“While many states are making it easier for their citizens to vote, NC’s legislature has created more barriers to vote for specific groups — low income, young, and any one of the 250,000 voters who do not have a valid NC photo ID,” Azarmi said. “This compromises our democracy and is a direct call to action for citizens to be engaged. These public hearings provide a rare chance for all voices to be heard.”

Haywood County NAACP will host a voter ID workshop at 2:30 p.m. Saturday, May 30, at Jones Temple A.M.E. Zion at 35 Thomas Park Drive in Waynesville.

Azarmi will be giving a similar presentation at the Haywood meeting and Bob Hall, director of Democracy NC, will be in contact via telephone to report on his research concerning voter suppression in the state. 

Speakers will discuss the importance of the upcoming public hearings being conducted across the state and give brief key facts and statistics about the law that can be used to complete written public comments. People interested in attending or speaking at the public hearing will receive talking points and additional assistance in preparation for the hearing.

Democracy North Carolina is a nonpartisan organization that uses research, organizing, and advocacy to increase voter participation and to reduce the influence of big money in politics.

The voter ID public hearing will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, June 11, at the Jackson County Board of Elections, 876 Skyland Drive, Sylva.