North Carolina Voter ID Law Ruled Constitutional
A federal judge, originally appointed by President Obama, has changed her stance on North Carolina’s voter ID law, declaring it constitutional. This ruling is considered a significant win for Republicans and supporters of election security after a lengthy legal struggle lasting seven years.
On Thursday, Judge Loretta Biggs ruled in favor of the law, stating that the liberal voting rights organizations that challenged the North Carolina State Board of Elections did not adequately demonstrate that the law discriminates against voters. As a result of this decision, the law will remain effective during the 2026 midterm elections. This ruling coincides with former President Donald Trump’s push for more stringent voter ID laws nationwide, which he believes will combat election fraud and unauthorized voting.
The legal dispute revolves around legislation passed by North Carolina’s Republican-led Senate in 2018, which mandates that voters present a photo ID at polling places. About 55% of the state’s voters approved this legislative amendment, which outlines the ID requirements.
North Carolina Republican officials expressed relief, with one commenting that after seven years, there’s now clarity regarding the constitutionality of the state’s voter ID law.
In her 134-page ruling, Judge Biggs acknowledged the state’s history of significant discrimination against African Americans. While evidence indicated that voter ID laws could disenfranchise Black and Latino voters, the court concluded that this was insufficient to invalidate the law, particularly when considering precedents from higher courts.
This decision also reflects a broader debate. Prominent Democrats, including Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, have criticized voter ID laws, labeling them as modern-day discriminatory practices. Schumer argued against the SAVE America Act, a proposal that would require all voters to provide proof of U.S. citizenship for registration, claiming it threatens the very foundation of democracy.
The ruling indicates a notable shift from Judge Biggs, who had earlier issued an injunction preventing the implementation of the voter ID law ahead of the 2020 elections, citing concerns about the state’s history of racial injustices and potential discriminatory intent behind the law.
That initial injunction was eventually overturned by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit, and the North Carolina Supreme Court also upheld the law in separate proceedings.
In their defense, North Carolina Republicans argue that the law is designed to support all voters by offering a wider variety of acceptable identification options while also promoting election integrity and public trust in the electoral process.
