Should North Carolina voters show a photo ID to vote in person? That will be just one of six questions voters will decide when they head to the polls in November. Legislators approved the sixth ballot question just before adjourning the spring legislative session Friday.
In order to amend the state constitution, three-fifths of the General Assembly has to agree to bring the proposed amendment to a statewide vote. Right now, Republicans make up more than three-fifths of both the House and Senate and that may or may not be the case come fall. So this session, Republicans have taken a rare opportunity to propose six constitutional amendments, most without support from Democratic lawmakers. The governor does not weigh-in on the amendments, but voters do.
Now all the hefty debate over those issues in the House and Senate can spread statewide to everyone's kitchen tables and long car rides - so get a head start on preparing for these questions at the bottom of your ballot:
Right to Hunt, Fish, and Harvest Wildlife
[ ] FOR [ ] AGAINST Constitutional amendment protecting the right of the people to hunt, fish, and harvest wildlife.
Read the full text of the act here.
Related story: Legislators Call for Constitutional Amendment To Protect Hunting and Fishing Rights
Rights of Victims of Crime
[ ] FOR [ ] AGAINST Constitutional amendment to strengthen protections for victims of crime; to establish certain absolute basic rights for victims; and to ensure the enforcement of these rights.
Read the full text of the act here.
Related story: How One Group Is Pushing Victims' Rights Laws Across The Country
Bipartisan State Board of Ethics and Elections Enforcement
[ ] FOR [ ] AGAINST Constitutional amendment to establish a bipartisan Board of Ethics and Elections to administer ethics and election laws, to clarify the appointment authority of the Legislative and the Judicial Branches, and to prohibit legislators from serving on boards and commissions exercising executive or judicial authority.
Read the full text of the act here.
Related story: State House Moves Forward On Multiple Amendments to State Constitution
Selection for Judicial Vacancies
[ ] FOR [ ] AGAINST Constitutional amendment to implement a nonpartisan merit-based system that relies on professional qualifications instead of political influence when nominating Justices and judges to be selected to fill vacancies that occur between judicial elections.
Read the full text of the act here.
Related story: Proposed State Constitutional Amendment Would Change Who Fills Vacant Judge Seats
Related story: Judicial Vacancy Amendment Heading To North Carolina Voters
Cap On Income Tax Rate
[ ] FOR [ ] AGAINST Constitutional amendment to reduce the income tax rate in North Carolina to a maximum allowable rate of seven percent (7%).
Read the full text of the act here.
Related story: NC Lawmakers Override Gov. Vetoes, Advance Cap On Income Tax
Voter ID
[ ] FOR [ ] AGAINST Constitutional amendment to require voters to provide photo identification before voting in person.
Read the full text of the acthere.
Related story: What You Need To Know About The Proposed Voter ID Amendment
Related story: Thwarted Before, Republicans Seek Photo ID Through Amendment
