Thursday, October 2, 2014

Partial Victory Against NC Voter Suppression


Yesterday, a three judge panel of the U. S. Circuit Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit struck down two provisions of a North Carolina law aimed at limiting voting rights.  The panel said that same-day registration and counting votes that were cast by voters in the wrong precinct was permitted under the Voting Rights Act.  Unfortunately, other provisions of the Republican-generated law remain in effect, including limiting the number of early voting days and requiring a voter ID (aimed at low income and student voters who would lack a state driver's license, for example).

While the decision is a step in the right direction, opponents of voter suppression face an uphill battle with the full Fourth Circuit, and the conservative Supreme Court when the case is heard there.

No comments: