Fayobserver.com February 17, 2011 FSU Students Lobby against Voter ID Bill RALEIGH - Fayetteville State University students were among groups Wednesday lobbying against a state law that would require voters to show photo ID. Six students from FSU joined others from historically black universities who said that such a law could keep some voters away from polls. They were backed by Common Cause North Carolina, a progressive political watchdog group that opposes a voter photo ID requirement. "This is a right, not a privilege," said Jonathan Coley, president of FSU's political science club. "The way we see it at Fayetteville State University is that you shouldn't have stipulations on someone's rights "There shouldn't be provisions that deter people from voting," said fellow student Tanasia Trotter. "If someone goes to the polls and they don't have ID, essentially they'll be turned away and the chances of them coming back to vote are very slim." The idea of a voter ID law has been controversial for years at the legislature. Democrats blocked such legislation when they controlled the General Assembly. Republicans who now have the majority promised to pass a voter ID bill this year. Supporters say it's needed to prevent voter fraud. Opponents contend that some legitimate voters - generally among minorities, the elderly or the disabled - don't have a driver's license or other current form of photo ID. They say Republicans are pushing the bill because these voters tend to vote Democratic. Opponents said at a news conference that the idea of having to buy an ID card from the government to vote was like a poll tax Later, Francis De Luca of the conservative-leaning Civitas Institute met with reporters to say the law is necessary. He said many of the opponents' concerns can be addressed. De Luca has argued that it's nearly impossible under North Carolina laws and practices to detect election fraud. The state has the means to provide a free ID to valid voters who can't afford to pay for one. "Despite overused talking points of the far left, research shows an overwhelming majority see photo IDs as a common-sense approach to preventing voter fraud, and the U.S. Supreme Court agrees with them," De Luca said. Coley, the FSU student, and others met with several Fayetteville-area lawmakers including Sen. Wesley Meredith, a Republican. Lobbying was different than Coley expected, he said. He thought it involved protesting on the street. But Wednesday's work involved dressing in a suit and personal visits. He thinks that's more effective. "I think, personally, why stand outside and protest when the door is always open, when you can make an appointment with the people that you're protesting," Coley said He and his friends may look at other issues, such as education and plans to cut the state budget, he said. Staff writer Paul Woolverton can be reached at woolvertonp@fayobserver.com, (919) 828-7641 or (910) 486-3512. SANDRA M. PHOENIX Program Director HBCU Library Alliance sphoenix@hbculibraries.org<mailto:sphoenix@hbculibraries.org> www.hbculibraries.org<http://www.hbculibraries.org/> 404.592.4820 Skype:sandra.phoenix1 1438 West Peachtree Street NW Suite 200 Atlanta, GA 30309 Toll Free: 1.800.999.8558 (Lyrasis) Fax: 404.892.7879 www.lyrasis.org<http://www.lyrasis.org/> Honor the ancestors, honor the children.