State judge weighs whether to schedule voter ID trial

By GARY D. ROBERTSON
Associated Press

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) – A state judge is weighing whether to schedule a trial soon on the legality of North Carolina’s voter ID mandate.

There are four pending lawsuits challenging North Carolina’s requirement. Three are in federal court and one is filed in state court and was heard Friday.

Attorneys for those who sued in state court say it’s time for a trial so a decision can be reached in time for the November general election. The photo ID mandate was implemented the first time in the March primary. The state court lawsuit was amended last month.

Lawyers for the state say Judge Michael Morgan must either transfer the case to a three-judge panel to consider broad constitutional questions or wait for the state Court of Appeals to rule on the state’s pending appeals.

(Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)