I spoke to NC Speaker Thom Tillis about Voter ID at the NCGOP 11th District Convention on April 27, 2013.  I told him I was glad they passed something, but asked why not pass a really strict bill to protect voter integrity?  Why not ONLY allow valid NCDL’s and military ID as the only valid ID to register to vote?

His response surprised me.

He said they have watched states around the country pass strong Voter ID bill only to have them held up in court and then be overturned.  Therefore, they decided to use what South Carolina had just been allowed to IMPLEMENT by the courts as their first step towards election reform and preserving voter integrity.  I asked why not go fix it all now, the Governor will sign it?  He said the courts will hold up implementation for 4-5 years and during that time no reforms will be implemented.  He said that’s not acceptable.  With this conservative start, he said they will implement then new laws immediately for the next election.

It sounds like the NC General Assembly has a great plan.  They have a strategy.  They are working towards a goal.  Music to my ears!  While it might not be fast enough for me or you, it has been carefully thought out.  It’s logical and prudent.  Notice he didn’t duck my question or give me any attitude for asking.  He answered the question fully and completely.  He seemed to respect the question and me, a regular citizen of North Carolina, enough to patiently answer it.

In my opinion, and in that context as he explained it, I gave my blessing.  I also reminded him I heard him say “this is only a start.”  We smiled in agreement and shook hands before we parted ways.

Does it seem strange to allow liberal court precedent to dictate legislation?  It does to me.  But we are in uncharted political waters with Obama and his Progressive-ilk at the helm.  I applaud the Republican legislature’s outside-the-box thinking.  I applaud Lt. Governor Dan Forest for his bold stand for voter integrity, election reform and the need for Voter ID.  Get’r done, boys!