Public Will Get Chance To Comment on Voter ID Rules

State elections officials will make two stops in Northwest North Carolina next week to hear from citizens about the controversial voter ID law.

The hearings are scheduled for June 9 in Winston-Salem and June 10 in Boone.

They are part of a series of statewide meetings to give election officials a chance to hear comments from the public about the law, which was passed in 2013. It requires voters to show a driver's license, U.S. passport or other ID when they cast their ballots. Those without an ID will still be able to vote through a provisional ballot.

Steve Hines is director of Forsyth County elections. He says he's expecting a big turnout from people with concerns about how the law could impact such things as minority turnout.

“Hopefully what you're going to see on Tuesday is a variety of concerns, a variety of good questions and some dialogue that the representatives from the state board can take back to their office and formulate some plans to try to make sure we have a flawless, easy election when it comes time to have voter ID,” he says.

The law is scheduled to begin with next year's elections, but it's still being disputed in court. A federal lawsuit filed by the NAACP and others is expected to be heard in Winston-Salem next month.