Public Comment Period For New Voter ID, Absentee Voting Rules Open

The North Carolina State Board of Elections is seeking public comments for voting rules related to the implementation of the new Voter ID law. 

Beginning in 2020, voters will be asked to provide photo ID when voting in-person or absentee-by-mail.

But there are some other exceptions. For example, a person can be exempt from the photo ID requirement for a religious objection or what the board calls a reasonable impediment. That includes having a physical disability or sickness.

Those same rules would also apply to absentee-by-mail voting. For those who don't have an exception, voters will be required to attach a readable copy of a valid ID when requesting or submitting an absentee ballot.

The state board is required to develop temporary rules by July 1 and permanent measures by Jan. 1.

Voters will have until July 12 to weigh in on the changes. That can be done online, by email or mail.

A public hearing on the proposed rules will be held in Raleigh next month.

*Follow WFDD's Keri Brown on Twitter @kerib_news