Voter ID: A preview

House lawmakers have scheduled a four-hour committee meeting Tuesday on voter ID.

Posted 9:22 p.m. Mar 14, 2011 — Updated 4:12 p.m. Mar 15, 2011

Laura Leslie

Tuesday's House Elections meeting should be worth watching. It's scheduled to be four hours long – public comment from 2 to 4 p.m., and then committee debate from 4 to 6 p.m. (I'm told Tuesday's House session will be moved back to 1 p.m. to avoid a conflict.)

What will they be debating? No measure has been filed yet, but I'm told a bill has been drafted and will likely be rolled out Tuesday, either before or at the hearing. It’s expected to include a requirement for state-issued photo ID.

The committee set aside 45 three-minute slots for public speakers, and all were filled within just a few hours. If you wanted to speak but didn’t get a spot, or just can’t make it to the meeting, you can submit a comment to the committee.

The meeting will probably be standing room only in Room 643. The Civitas Institute, which backs the voter ID requirement, is busing people in from Wilmington and Greensboro. Common Cause NC, which opposes the requirement, is bringing in college students to speak against it.

We’ll be carrying a live video stream of the hearing on WRAL.com. If you prefer audio, you can listen by choosing "Appropriations Committee Room (Rm. 643)."

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