Last Tuesday, The News & Observer reported that Gov. Roy Cooper, along with Attorney General Josh Stein, has plans to rescind the U.S. Supreme Court review and possible revival of North Carolina’s repealed Voter ID law. Like many people, I was against the law from the beginning for its potential suppression of voters. So while I should have maybe been thrilled by this news, upon hearing it, all I felt was mixed emotions. I am hesitant to begin celebrating just yet. This move does not necessarily mean our voting problems are solved.
As I’m sure many remember, in 2013 North Carolina’s Republican legislature wrote into law several egregious voting restrictions that were intended to take place in time for the 2016 elections. These laws intended to end same-day voter registration at early voting and would have required all North Carolinians to show a state-issued photo ID at the polls. McCrory argued that this would curtail voter fraud in our state. But no matter how you feel about McCrory, or the laws themselves, the truth of the matter is that empirical data gives no indication of rampant voter fraud in North Carolina or anywhere else in the country. These laws were not about preventing voter fraud, but rather about suppressing the votes of North Carolinians who lean left. They created more hindrance than help, and would have disproportionately and negatively affected college students, African-Americans, the poor, the elderly and the disabled.
With the help of activists and organizations, the law was taken to court for its overt unfairness. It was eventually struck down unanimously by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit. McCrory appealed the decision to the U.S. Supreme Court, in hopes that it would be restored. Unfortunately for him, the Courts never reached a decision before the end of his tenure. Fortunately for everyone else, North Carolinians were able to vote as they always have this past election. The request to the Supreme Court for review was McCrory’s last-ditch effort to erase the voices and votes of the citizens of this state. So, if Cooper’s request to rescind this review is granted by the Supreme Court, aren’t we in the clear? If this happens, we can all be sure that the voting process in North Carolina will stay fair, right? Will we all be able to breathe a collective sigh of relief about the state of our voting system?
Not so fast.
While I am glad to see Cooper taking the right stance, I am not jumping for joy just yet, and if this issue is important to you, you shouldn’t be either. Because, unfortunately, it’s still not enough.
Upon hearing Cooper’s decision, the North Carolina legislative leadership criticized him. Even though they have not threatened to intervene and petition the Supreme Court themselves to overrule it, they still have this option and could likely use it. It is likely that President Donald Trump’s Supreme Court nominee Neil Gorsuch will receive a confirmation. When he does, conservatives will have a clear majority in the Supreme Court, which could mean the possibility of them siding with the North Carolina legislature to potentially bring back the law. It is also no secret that Trump himself is extremely paranoid about voter fraud, even if his fears are entirely baseless and void of concrete evidence. Trump has the power to enact executive orders and laws that could suppress the vote, and it is likely that he will try. So with all of this in mind, it is clear that despite this move by Cooper, we should still be concerned. It is a great leap forward, but we are still so close to going backward.
Upsetting, right? I know. But there is still hope, and this issue is our issue. As college students at NC State, as North Carolinians or as students from out of state who call Raleigh their home away from home, we can do something to help. No matter where you fall on party lines, I think it should be agreed that the right to vote is critical for democracy. We have the power to work together to ensure this.
I contacted Jen Jones, the communications director at Democracy North Carolina, a nonprofit organization based in Durham. According to Jones, the organization “[…] focuses on research, advocacy, and state and local organizing around voting rights issues, while also supporting vital litigation in support of voters most impacted by these bad laws.”
I asked her what role we as NC State students and citizens can do to help. Jones said, “North Carolinians need to be willing to make their voices heard at the General Assembly and in their Board of Elections meetings in support of voting rights…” She also encourages State students to “be the change they want to see” and suggested students apply for a paid summer internship at their Democracy Summer program if they are interested in more direct involvement.
In this current political climate, it can be just as easy to become naïve to the difficulties ahead, as it is to become discouraged. We cannot let ourselves become either of these things. In two years, there will be another election. It is our duty as citizens, no matter our party affiliation, to ensure that the right to vote isn’t stifled or suppressed. If it is, we cannot truly have democracy. So, while it is great to have a governor and attorney general defending our liberties, it is not enough, yet. Through electing officials that care, due diligence and determination, we can make sure that one day it will be. It is up to us to hold our elected leaders accountable by calling them, showing up at their offices, donating to just causes and giving voice to the voiceless. We must let our legislature know that the right to vote should be accessible for everyone. We cannot become complacent with small victories, as there is too much still at stake. While it is disheartening to consider the possibility of unfair voter laws in North Carolina and all over the country, it is heartening to know that we, NC State students and future leaders, can do something about it. The power truly lies with us, so what are we going to do with this power?
