North Carolina GOP Out to Limit Crucial Early Voting Period

Source: NBC News

When Barack Obama carried North Carolina in 2008 and came close in 2012, it was thanks in part to a massive advantage in early voting. Now, aiming to avoid a repeat, state Republicans are waging a relentless and brazen campaign to limit early voting opportunities — all but acknowledging that lower turnout benefits the GOP.

The state is likely to be among the closest in the presidential race this fall, and it also hosts tight races for governor and senator. Any Democratic strategy for victory will rely heavily on turning out early voters.

On Monday, Gov. Pat McCrory asked the U.S. Supreme Court to put the ID requirement and the early voting cuts back into effect. The state did not challenge the restoration of same-day registration or out-of-precinct voting. If the high court declines to intervene, as looks likely, Republicans have a backup plan: Pressuring local election boards to make early voting as inconvenient as possible.

Early voting has become extremely popular in recent elections in North Carolina, and it's disproportionately favored by African-Americans. In 2008, over 60 percent of black voters cast their ballots early, compared to 44 percent of white voters, according to one expert analysis. In 2012, those figures rose to 64 percent and 49 percent respectively.

Read more: http://www.nbcnews.com/politics/politics-news/north-carolina-gop-out-limit-crucial-early-voting-period-n633571