Special Session Reminds us of Popularity of Voter ID and Lowering the Tax Cap | Eastern North Carolina Now

    Publisher's note: This post, by Brian Balfour, was originally published in Civitas's online edition.

    State legislators are returning today to Raleigh to write short descriptors for the six constitutional amendments slated to be on the ballot this fall.

    Three of the amendments in particular should have no problem passing, regardless of who writes the captions, if public polling results are to believed.

    Last month Civitas polling released the following results for a photo voter ID requirement and lowering of the income tax cap:

• First, a state constitutional amendment that says, "Every person offering to vote in person shall present photo identification before voting in the manner prescribed by law?" Would you support or oppose this amendment?
• 69% Support
• 24% Oppose
• 7% Not Sure
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• Next, a state constitutional amendment that says, "the rate of tax on incomes shall not exceed five and one-half percent (5.5%)"? Would you support or oppose this amendment?
• 66% Support
• 13% Oppose
• 21% Not Sure
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• Note that our polling asked about lowering the tax cap to 5.5%, which was the proposal at the time. The actual amendment to be on the ballot this fall would lower the cap to 7%. It is highly doubtful this change would noticeably impact support.

    Moreover, the amendment protecting the "right of the people to hunt, fish, and harvest wildlife" enjoyed strong support, with 72% in favor.