Perdue vetoes voter ID bill

Gov. Bev Perdue vetoed the voter identification bill this afternoon, her eighth veto stamp of the session. She issued a statement on HB351 soon after:

“The right to choose our leaders is among the most precious freedoms we have – both as Americans and North Carolinians. North Carolinians who are eligible to vote have a constitutionally guaranteed right to cast their ballots, and no one should put up obstacles to citizens exercising that right.

“We must always be vigilant in protecting the integrity of our elections. But requiring every voter to present a government-issued photo ID is not the way to do it.  This bill, as written, will unnecessarily and unfairly disenfranchise many eligible and legitimate voters.  The legislature should pass a less extreme bill that allows for other forms of identification, such as those permitted under federal law."

Senate President Pro Tempore Phil Berger reacted with this statement:

“We shouldn’t be surprised by how far the governor will go to score political points with the liberal wing of her party. A measure that ensures voters are who they say they are is a no-brainer, and most North Carolinians agree. It’s a shame Gov. Perdue is playing politics with the integrity of elections.”

The House does not appear to have the votes to override this veto, as it did on the budget bill. It passed the House on June 9 by a vote of 66-48, and in a final concurrence vote on June 15 by 62-51. If all members of the House are present for a vote, 72 is the magic number for an override. Three-fifths of those present and voting is required to override a veto.

The measure would require voters to show a driver's license or other photo identification or get a new voter ID from their board of elections.

House Speaker Thom Tillis issued this statement: 

“Governor Perdue’s latest veto is the clearest example yet that she is out of touch with North Carolinians.  An overwhelming majority of our citizens have continued to support this bill, knowing that it would provide confidence in voting and protect against potential voter fraud.  It would have done nothing to discourage or prevent voting by those who have a right to do so.  Governor Perdue has put the interests of fringe elements of her political party above the wishes of the majority of North Carolinians.”

North Carolina Democratic Party Chairman David Parker has weighed in:

“The only thing stopping the Republican legislature from fully repealing the 20^th century is Governor Perdue. If the voter ID bill became law, thousands of our fellow North Carolinians would be turned away from the polls."

Reaction continues with a statement from the N.C. Center for Voter Education: 

"We commend Gov. Perdue for vetoing this ill-conceived photo ID requirement," said Damon Circosta, executive director. "This measure would have placed undue burdens on law-abiding citizens, making it harder for thousands of qualified voters to cast a ballot, without making our election system any more secure."

Senate Democratic Leader Martin Nesbitt:

"Voter ID is nothing more than a costly solution in search of a problem that forces thousands of seniors, minorities and students to nagivate an obstacle course of bureaucracy before being allowed to vote."

And from N.C. Republican Party Chairman Robin Hayes:

“When given a chance to boost voter confidence, Governor Perdue again chose to appease her liberal base to boost her floundering re-election campaign while ignoring an overwhelming majority of North Carolinians who supported this common-sense bill.  Governor Perdue’s veto is not surprising and as unemployment in North Carolina remains at 9.7% for the third straight month, it is clear ‘The Jobs Governor’ is only concerned with one job, her own.”

And likely GOP gubernatorial candidate and former Charlotte mayor Pat McCrory weighed in: