A North Carolina trial judge has denied a Republican Party request to block students and employees at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill from using a digital ID to comply with the state’s photo ID law.
Wake County Superior Court Judge Keith Gregory ruled against a temporary restraining order, allowing the mobile UNC One Card to be used as a valid form of identification for voting.
The lawsuit, filed by the Republican National Committee and the state GOP, challenged the use of the digital ID, arguing that state law only allows physical cards.
However, the State Board of Elections, with its Democratic majority, approved the mobile ID on August 20, making it the first digital ID for voting in North Carolina.
The Democratic National Committee and a student group at UNC-Chapel Hill opposed the GOP request, stating that the digital ID meets security standards required by law.
The Republicans expressed concerns that a digital ID could lead to voter fraud, claiming it is easier to alter and harder for poll workers to verify.
However, the court’s decision allows the digital ID to be used in the upcoming elections, with physical cards still available for those who prefer them.
This ruling occurs as North Carolina, a key battleground state, prepares for its general election, with early in-person voting starting on October 17 and absentee ballots being mailed soon.