A judge will soon decide whether one of many pending lawsuits challenging North Carolina's new photo voter identification laws should go to trial.
Wake County Superior Court Judge Vince Rozier heard arguments Monday from attorneys for six voters who sued over voter ID rules that state legislators approved in December.
The voters say the regulations intentionally discriminate against black voters and make it harder for people without qualifying IDs to engage in political expression. Republican lawmakers say those accusations are speculative and plaintiffs lack legal standing to sue.
Another judge last month threw out the constitutional amendment voters approved in November mandating photo ID and that led to the December law. GOP lawmakers on Monday asked the Court of Appeals to delay that ruling pending appeals.