Republicans sue to block digital ID use in North Carolina elections

The Republican Party has initiated legal action against North Carolina's elections board to prevent the use of a digital identification for voting by students and employees at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. This lawsuit follows the board's approval of the 'Mobile UNC One Card' as a valid form of ID under the state's photo voter ID law. The Republican groups argue that the law mandates physical forms of identification, such as driver's licenses and passports, and does not permit digital IDs. They express concerns that allowing digital IDs could lead to ineligible voters participating in elections, particularly in a battleground state like North Carolina. The lawsuit was filed in Wake County Superior Court, highlighting the potential risks associated with electronically stored IDs, including the ease of alteration and difficulties in verification by precinct workers. The Republican National Committee and North Carolina GOP contend that the board's decision to accept digital IDs expands the definition of acceptable identification beyond what is legally permitted. In response, a spokesperson for the state board pointed to discussions from a recent meeting, where it was noted that the law does not explicitly limit acceptable IDs to physical cards. The board chair referenced technological trends, such as the acceptance of mobile boarding passes by airlines, to justify the approval of the digital ID. The current voter ID law was enacted in late 2018 but faced legal challenges that delayed its implementation until the 2023 municipal elections. As the November elections approach, the board has approved over 130 traditional IDs, including the physical One Card, while voters without qualifying IDs will be required to cast provisional ballots.