Raleigh, N.C. — Gov. Roy Cooper on Friday vetoed legislation setting up the rules for the state’s new requirement that voters present photo identification at the polls, calling it “a solution in search of a problem.”
The General Assembly is expected to gather next week to override Cooper’s decision. Republicans hold a super-majority in both chambers, giving them the numbers to do so without help from legislators in Cooper’s party.
Cooper said in his veto message that the state doesn’t need to require photo ID for people voting in person. In fact, the state constitution requires that now, though it allows for exceptions. Voters agreed to add it to the North Carolina Constitution during the November elections, and the General Assembly met in a lame-duck session to write more detailed rules while Republicans still held their super-majorities.
Democrats broke those veto-proof super-majorities in November, but that won’t take effect until January.
“We are certainly disappointed that Gov. Cooper chose to ignore the will of the people and reject a common-sense election integrity measure that is common in most states,” House Speaker Tim Moore said in a statement. “The North Carolina House will override his veto as soon as possible.”
www.wral.com/cooper-vetoes-voter-id-bill/18064957/