Former Charlotte Mayor Uses Social Media To Support Voter ID BillCHARLOTTE, NC- You need a photo ID to board an airplane, rent a car or to buy booze. Governor Bev Prdue vetoed a bill to require residents to show their ID to vote, but former Charlotte mayor Pat McCrory is using a multimedia approach to try to change that. "We want the public to help educate the politicians, especially the Governor, that this veto is wrong and the veto should be over-ridden," said McCrory. McCrory's new form of public pressure... social media. He's asking followers on Youtube, Facebook, and Twitter to record and upload videos of them at places that require IDs. An NC State student uploaded a video showing himself using an ID to get into the school gym. Another person posted a video using an ID to buy a lottery ticket. "Whether it be a library, an ABC store, a curb market, or even the old statehouse building where Governor Perdue's office... you have to show a photo ID," said McCrory. McCrory says having to show an ID is common sense, but democratic opponents say it discourages out-of-state college students, senior citizens and the disabled who may not have not a state-issued ID. "I think it's easy enough to get a state ID. I think everyone, in some way or another, can find a way to do that. They find a way to do everything else. They find a way to feed themselves and put a roof over their heads. Even the homeless have to show identification to get a lot of the services around town," said South Charlotte resident, Tamara Ponischil. Others disagree, saying it's a step backward in getting people more involved in government. "It would only slow down people from voting and I think it's unnecessary paperwork," Rollon Washington. Republican lawmakers say the bill would decrease fraud at the polls but in 2008, only 40 of 4.3 million votes cast were fraudulent. 40 votes McCrory says are too many as he continues to encourage people to share their ID stories and videos. Lawmakers will try to over-ride the governor's veto and make the voter ID bill law when they convene later this month. |
Most PopularWhat's On TonightFull Schedule |
Most Popular