State board opens public comment period on permanent photo ID rules

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina Republican legislators implementing a new change to the state constitution are thinking about allowing a relatively broad range of photo identification to validate voters who cast in-person ballots in future elections.

Proposed legislation state Senate staffers circulated Tuesday would require voters to show a driver’s license, passport, state university ID, tribal enrollment card, or a new type of photo ID issued free by county elections boards. IDs that expired after a voter’s 70th birthday also would be accepted.

The General Assembly returns to work next week after voters this month approved a state constitutional amendment requiring photo identification to vote in person.

Federal judges struck down a 2013 voting law requiring photo ID, ruling Republicans passed it to discriminate against minorities. Republicans say they were protecting election integrity.

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