Governor  Pat McCrory announced Attorney General Roy Cooper will not appeal the a ruling from a three-judge panel of the 4th Circuit Court of Appeals nullifying the state’s election reforms including a photo identification requirement for voters. 

 

The governor said the state will appeal the ruling without help from Attorney General's office. McCrory said Cooper’s decision was another example of him refusing to represent the state.

 

“We’re very disappointed to hear that again his office is not willing to do his job,” McCrory said. “In fact, I question whether he should even accept a paycheck from the state of North Carolina anymore because he continues to not do his job, as his oath of office requires him to do.”

 

A spokeswoman for the attorney general confirmed to the Raleigh News and Observer Cooper’s decision.

 

“Attorneys with our office put forward their best arguments but the court found that the law was intentional discrimination and we will not appeal,” Noelle Talley said. “Other parties are adequately represented if they choose to appeal further, although additional appeals would only incur more expense and foster uncertainty with the approaching election and early voting.”

 

Cooper, the Democratic candidate for governor, made it clear he agrees with the ruling.

 

“The bottom line is people will have more opportunities to register and vote, which was the origin of the laws that were passed in the first place — the ones that, it looks like now, were illegally overturned by the governor and the General Assembly.”

 

Outside attorneys are representing state legislative leaders in the lawsuit.