Obtaining a so-called “free” state ID for the purposes of voting in this year’s election isn’t easy, as Logan Graham painfully describes in his recent column.

But here’s one big important fact to know: Registered voters can still vote without a photo ID.  

The ID law was amended last May by the North Carolina legislature to allow a voter to declare a “reasonable impediment” (legalese for explanation) as to why they don’t have one of the six acceptable photo identifications.  

Any registered voter lacking an ID simply signs a form with a menu of reasonable impediment choices, which includes, but is not limited to, such things as: work or school schedule, lack of transportation and family obligations.  

Just check the impediment that best fits your circumstance, provide the last four digits of your social security number along with your date of your birth, and you’re good to go in casting a ballot that counts.

Indeed, Logan is correct that state lawmakers made it difficult for out-of-state students to vote in North Carolina. The sad truth is, many legislators actually believe students from out of town or out of state should not have the right to vote in the place where they attend school.  There has even been legislation proposed that would deny standard dependent tax deductions for parents whose child dares to register and vote where they attend college. Thankfully, the bill did not pass.

Bottom line, vote in this year’s elections. Don’t be deterred if you don’t have the proper photo ID. It’s your constitutional right to be able to cast a ballot that counts. And the good news is, you can do it, without a photo ID.

Here’s a link for more information: http://commoncausenc.org/id/index.php.

Bob Phillips

Executive Director

Common Cause North Carolina