NAACP appeals North Carolina voter ID law ruling in Raleigh

The NAACP has taken its challenge against North Carolina's voter ID law to the state Court of Appeals, contending the law is unconstitutional and discriminates against minority voters, WTVD reported.

The appeal follows a federal district court judge's earlier ruling against the NAACP's lawsuit, which was initially filed after the voter ID law took effect in 2023. The group is requesting a three-judge panel to send the case back to a single judge to allow presentation of evidence supporting their claims.

The NAACP alleges the law disproportionately affects Black and other minority voters who are less likely to have state-issued identification. The lawsuit also contests the 2018 constitutional amendment that established the voter ID requirement, claiming it resulted from a legislature influenced by racial gerrymandering.

Supporters of the voter ID law argue it is necessary to prevent voter fraud. The original constitutional amendment was approved by North Carolina voters in 2018.

This legal challenge comes as North Carolina voters consider another constitutional amendment on the November ballot that would require photo identification for all voting methods, including mail-in ballots. Currently, photo ID is only required for in-person voting, according to WTVD.

Kym Meyer of the Southern Environmental Law Center, representing the NAACP, emphasized the group's desire to present their evidence in court as prescribed by the Supreme Court.