A poll carried out earlier this year found that more than one third of Americans believe the 2020 presidential elections were marred by fraud.

Similar concerns are already being expressed this year, with Republicans warning that a recent court decision could spell disaster on election day. 

Lawsuit challenged use of digital college IDs for voting

According to Newsmax, a North Carolina judge ruled against the Republican National Committee and the North Carolina Republican Party in a lawsuit late last week.

At issue is whether students at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill (UNC-Chapel Hill) should be permitted to use school-issued digital identification when casting their ballots.

Although the North Carolina State Board of Elections (NCSBE) has concluded that UNC-Chapel Hill digital IDs are valid, Republicans objected.

Attorney William Elias Boyle represented the plaintiffs, and he argued that allowing the use of digital IDs will lead to "fraudulent votes and inaccurate election" results.

Students must present government documents to get digital ID

"The law does not allow the NCSBE to expand the circumstances of what is an acceptable student identification card, beyond a tangible, physical item, to something only found on a computer system," The Hill quoted the lawsuit as stating.

Boyle pointed out that UNC-Chapel Hill students have to present the college with government-issued ID in order to receive their digital credentials and should thus be compelled to show the same physical IDs when voting.

"These physical, tangible items include passports, drivers licenses, photo identification cards for non drivers, registered voter identification cards, military identification cards, veterans identification cards, and tribal enrollment cards, amongst other items," he explained.

Boyle maintained that a "precinct official can hold in her hands and inspect" physical documents, thus making them more difficult to fake.

However, Wake Superior Court Judge Keith Gregory rejected Boyle's reasoning and concluded that UNC-Chapel Hill's Mobile One Card constitutes official ID and is valid for use at North Carolina polling stations.

Judge finds no "credible links" between digital IDs and voter fraud

"Plaintiffs have not advanced any credible link between the State Board’s approval of Mobile One Cards and heightened risk of ineligible voters casting illegal Votes," Gregory wrote.

North Carolina judge rejects GOP request to bar students from using digital IDs to vote https://t.co/236i1tkNPi

— The Hill (@thehill) September 20, 2024

"An unqualified voter cannot use Mobile One Card to register to vote or vote. The Mobile One Card simply helps already registered voters prove their identity when they cast Ballot," he added.