Cost:  Based on the experience of other states, this will cost the NC taxpayer approximately $35 million, according to the American Bar Association.  Another study by the Institute for Southern Studies puts the implementation costs at a minimum of $25 million for the first 3 years, and continuing costs thereafter.  This is an unfunded mandate whose costs will be passed on to the counties.  

No evidence of Voter ID Fraud:  There are multiple studies on voter fraud, including one by the Bush Administration.  Of the 2068 alleged election fraud cases since 2000, a News 21 study found only 10 cases of voter impersonation.  There have been none in North Carolina, that we could find, where an ID would have prevented voter fraud.  Most fraud occurs with absentee ballots.  

Disenfranchisement:  The Brennan Center for Justice study estimates 11% of all voters (25% of African-American voters) in the US would be disenfranchised.  80% of those are women.  Getting the documentation ($10-25 for each copy of a marriage or divorce document, for example) can be beyond the means for many of these voters. 

So the question is:  Why would the NC General Assembly throw hard-earned taxpayer money at a problem that does not exist?