The measure signed by Gov. Pat McCrory on Monday overhauls North Carolina's election laws. It requires government-issued photo IDs at the polls, reduces the early voting period by one week and ends same day registration.
McCrory called it "common sense reforms," and said it will help ensure the "integrity" of the voting process.
His office announced the signing in a statement, and then he appeared in a 95-second video on Youtube.
In the video McCrory said, "photo ID has become a part of our everyday life," and reminded residents they can get a free photo ID at local Department of Motor Vehicle offices throughout the state.
To make sure everyone has enough time, McCrory added, "Photo ID won't be required until the 2016 elections."
Democrats and minority groups say the new law will suppress voting and it make it harder for minorities, the elderly and youth to cast ballots.
The American Civil Liberties union and other Civil Rights groups vow to fight the measure.
NPR's Kathy Lohr reports McCory signed the bill just weeks after the U.S. Supreme Court struck down a section of the Voting Rights Act that required North Carolina and other states to get approval from the federal government to change its election laws.
"The Justice Department is fighting a similar law in Texas and may file suit against this one," Kathy added in her reporting for NPR's Newscast Unit.
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