Undeterred By Setbacks, NAACP Continues Push For Voting Law Changes

A federal trial over photo ID requirements wrapped up in Winston-Salem this week. It's the latest court battle over voting rights in which the NAACP has played a major role.

Recently, the civil-rights group has had some setbacks in that fight. The NAACP objected to the General Assembly's congressional district boundaries. In December, the state's highest court approved them. And last month their request to block the photo ID requirement during the March primary was denied.

North Carolina NAACP president Rev. William Barber says those defeats haven't discouraged him.

“We are always hopeful that ultimately the Constitution will overtake and overrule these attacks on our voting rights," he says. "Will it take time? Sure, it's always taken time in this country of America. But we are long-term fighters.”

Barber says the group will continue its series of "Moral Monday" protests with he called a "Mass Moral March" in Raleigh on Feb. 13. 

The NAACP and others argue that the photo ID requirement unfairly burdens minority voters. Attorneys for the state deny that claim. They say the law ensures the integrity of the North Carolina's elections.

The trial is over, but both sides have until Feb. 11 to provide evidence to the court.