State attorneys want a federal judge to dismiss a legal challenge to North Carolina's voter-identification law before the presidential primary in March. It's a controversial issue that's been on hold while a related court case is being considered.
When the voting rights trial happened this summer, voter ID wasn't part of the case. U.S. District judge Thomas Schroeder put it on the shelf because the legislature eased that requirement through an amendment.
Now, voters can cast their ballots without a photo ID, as long as they sign an affidavit explaining why they couldn't get one. Voters can also use a photo ID, even if it's been expired less than four years.
But critics like the North Carolina NAACP and the U.S. Department of Justice still say the voter ID amendment discriminates against minorities, poor people and college students. They say there's confusion and question whether state officials are adequately telling the public about the looser restrictions.
A hearing on the photo ID is scheduled in federal court for Oct. 23.
In 2013, North Carolina's election law went through an overhaul. The new law includes reducing early voting by a week and rejecting ballots cast if a voter is in the wrong precinct.
*Follow Keri brown on Twitter @kerib_news
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