NC Senate Republicans propose amendments for voting, ID, and tax cap

NC Senate Republicans propose amendments for voting, ID, and tax cap

NC Senate Republicans Propose Constitutional Amendments for Citizens-only Voting, Voter ID, and Further Lowering the Income Tax Cap

All three amendments cleared first committee meeting today

Overcash: “The best defense we can mount against these attacks on democracy is to empower the people of North Carolina to amend their own constitution to state that only U.S. citizens shall vote in our elections”

Raleigh, N.C. – Today, Republicans in the North Carolina Senate Redistricting and Elections Committee considered legislation to place three constitutional amendments on the 2024 general election ballots. The proposals, subject to approval by voters, would amend North Carolina’s constitution to:

  • Require “only” U.S. citizens shall be permitted to vote in North Carolina’s elections

  • Reduce the maximum allowable income tax rate from 7% to 5%

  • Require that all voters present photo identification before voting, not just those voting in-person 

“Democrats in far-left cities and states are doing everything they possibly can to allow noncitizens to vote in elections. The best defense we can mount against these attacks on democracy is to empower the people of North Carolina to amend their own constitution to state that only U.S. citizens shall vote in our elections.” Sen. Brad Overcash (R-Gaston) said.

“As absurd as it may be, noncitizen voting is growing in some parts of our country. Here in North Carolina, it's imperative we protect our election integrity and security, and establish citizen-only voting,” Sen. Buck Newton (R-Wilson) said.

“Republicans have made tremendous progress in lowering taxes for North Carolina workers, families, and business owners. Now, we must preserve that progress by ensuring no future legislative body will raise taxes at a level that would erase those historical reductions and rob the wallets of North Carolinians,” Senate Leader Phil Berger (R-Rockingham) said.

“With this proposed change, our state constitution’s voter ID requirement would encompass all voters – not just those who vote in-person – and provide a stronger safeguard against any potential fraud,” Senate Redistricting and Elections Committee Chairman Sen. Warren Daniel (R-Burke) said.

Polling shows strong support for each of the proposed amendments. Citizen-only voting has been put on ballots in six states since 2018 and passed each state with at least 63% approval. One North Carolina poll conducted in early May found that 87% of likely voters support a constitutional amendment clarifying that only citizens of the United States are eligible to vote in all state and local North Carolina elections.

On the tax cap reduction, a recent poll of North Carolinians shows 71% are in favor of reducing the maximum allowable income tax rate in North Carolina to 4% – a full percentage point lower than the current proposal. That same poll found that 70% of North Carolinians support requiring voters to provide photo identification, even without exceptions.


Are you tired of being bombarded by paywalls and pop-up ads when trying to read the news? Do you believe that access to reliable political news should be free and accessible to everyone? Then we urge you to support NC Political News, a weekly electronic political news outlet. 

NC Political News is committed to providing high-quality, unbiased political reporting with columnists from all political sides. Unlike other news outlets, NC Political News is free to read and supported by businesses who purchase ad space on our website and in our newsletter, which goes out Monday through Friday at 7:00 am. This means that readers like you can access the news without being asked to pay a cent or dealing with frustrating advertisements. 

However, to continue providing this valuable service, NC Political News needs your support. If you believe in the importance of accessible, free news, we urge you to click the image below. Any amount of support is appreciated.

Together, we can keep the news free and help ensure our state stays informed and connected.



 

North Carolina House Gives Bipartisan Approval to House Budget

North Carolina House Gives Bipartisan Approval to House Budget

House Democratic Leader Robert Reives Statement on “House Budget” Vote

House Democratic Leader Robert Reives Statement on “House Budget” Vote