League of Women Voters et al v. North Carolina

This was a federal court challenge to HB 589, North Carolina’s monster voter suppression law. Among other provisions, that law implemented a strict voter ID requirement that excluded college and out-of-state IDs; eliminated same-day registration and pre-registration for 16- and 17-year olds; cut early voting by a full week, including eliminating one of two “Souls to the Polls” Sundays; prevented otherwise valid out-of-precinct ballots from being counted; and expanded the ability of poll observers to challenge voters’ eligibility. The Fourth Circuit held that the law was intentionally racially discriminatory against black voters and struck down the challenged provisions. This success meant that voters in the 2016 general election were not required to have a DMV-issued photo ID, which voters of color disproportionately lack. In addition, voters had access to same-day registration and more days of early voting, and were able to cast a provisional ballot outside of their resident districts as long as they voted in the correct county, options that historically have been disproportionately utilized by voters of color.

Key Contact

Allison Riggs, Co-Executive Director / Chief Counsel, Voting Rights

allisonriggs@scsj.org