Democracy NC Calls for “All Hands on Deck” After SCOTUS Denies Stay of Voting Law

DEMOCRACY NC STATEMENT ON SUPREME COURT’S DENIAL OF STAY OF NC VOTING LAW

WASHINGTON – Today, the U.S. Supreme Court refused a request by the state of North Carolina to temporarily block part of the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals’ ruling striking down North Carolina’s restrictive 2013 voting law. With today’s decision, a federal appeals court’s July ruling will, at least through 2016, block North Carolina’s photo ID requirement and restore preregistration, a week of Early Voting, same-day registration, and out-of-precinct provisional voting.

The voting-rights organization Democracy North Carolina, which opposed the 2013 voting law, heralded the Court’s action and called for the state leaders to turn their full attention to the important work of holding fair elections this fall.

“Now that the Supreme Court has settled the law for this fall, it’s time for Gov. McCrory and Republican leaders to end the costly wrangling and invest in making sure voters face no new roadblocks to having their voices heard when Early Voting begins on October 20,” said Democracy North Carolina Executive Director Bob Hall.

“We need all hands on deck because we’re facing an elections system that is under-resourced and over-stressed by more voters needing more time to vote (due to the loss of straight-ticket voting) and facing longer lines on Election Day (with more super-sized precinct polling places). One half of the voters in the state live in a precinct with over 3,000 voters. Our entire elections system depends on implementing super strong Early Voting programs across the state.

“We’re calling on the N.C. State Board of Elections to repudiate efforts to cut much-needed Early Voting hours and locations in many counties. And we’re calling on Gov. Pat McCrory to release emergency funds to recruit and train more poll workers, provide more check-in stations, and add more voting equipment. We need everyone to help prevent long lines at the polls in the coming weeks.”

Democracy North Carolina is a statewide nonpartisan organization that uses research, organizing, and training to increase civic participation, reduce the influence of big money in politics, and remove systemic barriers to voting and serving in elected office.

MEDIA CONTACTS:
Bob Hall, Democracy North Carolina, 919-599-3467 or 919-489-1931, bob@democracy-nc.org
Jen Jones, Democracy North Carolina, 919-260-5906, jen@democracy-nc.org