John Locke warned that apathy is the poison that can make a democracy go sour.
Democratic representatives in the N.C. House recognized this reality all too well when they drafted the legislation to implement one-stop voting, where eligible voters can register and vote all at once on election day, a move they hope will encourage voter turnout.
The bill was ratified July 12 and is likely to become law sometime this week as expectations are high for Gov. Mike Easley to sign the bill.
"The idea is that it would provide more opportunities to get people involved in voting when it's closer to the election," said Rep. Deborah Ross, D-Wake.
As the law stands now, registration is required 25 days in advance of an election.
Yet, Ross explains how young people, the demographic least involved in elections, get involved and motivated only days before an election when the media coverage of the race is most exciting and hyped up.
Ross said 40 percent of unregistered voters in North Carolina are between 18 and 25.
"States where there is a shorter period of time between registration and voting have a much higher turnout and particularly a much higher youth turnout," said Ross.
But the N.C. GOP is not so sure.
Republicans in the House have stood vehemently against the legislation, arguing that the bill's absence of a requirement for photo identification at registration sites opens the system up to terrorism, identity theft, illegal aliens and fraudulence in general.
"Our purpose in opposing this bill is to protect democracy. We cannot protect democracy if we have people voting who should not be voting," said Brent Woodcox, press secretary for the N.C. GOP.
Rep. Verla Insko, D-Orange, finds the Republican argument to be nothing more than a red herring.
While Woodcox argued that it's not very difficult to provide photo identification, such as a driver's license, Insko presented familiar cases in which people lack any form of photo ID.
"It's been shown that the photo ID would discriminate against poor people and minorities. If they don't drive, they would have less ability to get a photo ID than people with more means," said Insko.
"It would decrease the participation among the poor; those are the people we really need to have participate," she added.
Currently, photo identification is not required in any method of voter registration.
Any document providing a name and proof of residence is all that has ever been necessary. Furthermore, one-stop voters cast retrievable ballots, allowing election officials to review questionable ballots.
Director of the Orange County Board of Elections Barry Garner was not concerned about the issue of photo identification, as it's never been needed before. However, in supporting the status quo, he found himself in opposition to such changes in the voting process.
"I think we should have a deadline for voter registration. To me, they're making it too easy," said Garner.
"It hasn't surprised me that it's been such a problem," said Ross in regard to the ardent Republican disfavor.
"Virtually every time you help people exercise their rights, it's difficult to get passed."
Contact the State & National Editor stntdesk@unc.edu.
How to vote in One Stop
Go to a designated registration/polling location. Photo ID is not necessary. Only a document confirming your name and address is required. Visit www.sboe.state.nc.us for registration locations.
