Judge Allows Discriminatory Law Largely Impacting Youth Voters

""This decision will have devastating consequences for our electoral system for decades to come," said Adrianne Spoto, Counsel for Voting Rights at SCSJ. "When young voters casting their first ballots see them rejected for technical snafus, it creates a disincentive for future participation.""

"SB 747 increased the likelihood that ballots would be disqualified due to mail deliverability issues, creating obstacles for young voters, voters of color, elderly voters, and low-income voters, among others."

A federal judge upheld North Carolina's Senate Bill 747, which facilitates the disqualification of lawful ballots during early voting. The law disproportionately affects young voters, voters of color, and low-income individuals. Plaintiffs argued that SB 747 discriminates against youth voters and is rooted in an influence campaign targeting this demographic. The judge ruled that the law does not violate constitutional amendments and deemed the burden on voters minimal, allowing the barriers to participation in elections to persist.

Read at SCSJ