North Carolina Elections Board Agrees To Prohibit Digital Voter IDs

North Carolina’s State Board of Elections has confirmed it will not accept digital IDs as valid voter identification in upcoming elections. This decision follows a court settlement reached with the Republican National Committee (RNC) and the North Carolina Republican Party (NC GOP) regarding a lawsuit filed against the previous Democratic-led board.

During a video conference on Friday, the board outlined the terms of the settlement, which prohibits the acceptance of any electronic identification as a voter ID unless authorized by new legislation from the General Assembly. This agreement comes after the RNC and NC GOP alleged that the board’s prior guidance allowing students and employees of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill to use digital IDs violated state law.

The settlement was reached last month, and according to North Carolina State Board of Elections General Counsel Paul Cox, the board is required to disclose such agreements in public meetings following closed sessions.

Republican board member Bob Rucho, who was appointed earlier this year, emphasized the importance of adhering to state law. “The board should be required to follow the law, and when the General Assembly allows for change or makes the change, they should institute it then,” Rucho stated.

The controversy began when the RNC and NC GOP argued that existing state law does not permit the board to expand acceptable forms of identification to include digital formats. Initially, a trial judge sided with the board, but a subsequent ruling by a three-judge panel on the state’s appellate court blocked the use of digital IDs for the 2024 elections.

During the meeting, Democratic board members defended their earlier decision to authorize digital IDs. Siobhan Millen, a Democrat on the board, remarked, “I think the prior board made the correct decision to allow that ID,” but acknowledged the court’s ruling and the board’s obligation to comply with it.

Democrat Jeff Carmon echoed Millen’s sentiments, suggesting that the issue of digital IDs may not be settled permanently. “With the way technology is changing, this will not be the last word on this subject,” he noted.

The decision has sparked discussions about the future of voter identification laws in North Carolina, particularly as technology continues to evolve. Supporters of digital IDs argue they offer a modern solution to identification requirements, while critics maintain that they could undermine the integrity of the voting process.

As the state prepares for the 2024 elections, the board’s ruling underscores the ongoing debate over voter ID laws and their implications for accessibility and security in the electoral process. The North Carolina State Board of Elections will continue to navigate these complex issues as it implements the terms of the settlement and prepares for the upcoming elections.