Paul: Jones an independent voice

Requiring voter identification is not a tool of voter suppression, but Republicans need to understand why people have that perception and work to change it, a possible candidate for the GOP presidential nomination said Wednesday.

U.S. Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky, campaigned with U.S. Rep. Walter B. Jones Jr. in Greenville on Wednesday as part of a two-day swing through the Carolinas. Earlier in the day, Paul appeared with U.S. Senate candidate Thom Tillis in Raleigh.

He spoke with the Daily Reflector before a campaign event Wednesday night.

Congressman Jones has been a friend of ours for a long time, a friend of the family and one of my dads best friends, Paul said, referring to former congressman Ron Paul, a Republican presidential candidate in 2012. Hes one of the saner voices in Washington and a great independent voice, Paul said. Were excited that he will, we hope, continue to be your congressman.

Paul said he is making appearances across the country to talk about expanding the Republican Partys reach.

I think the perception of voter ID laws is some people think that people who want that want less people to vote, he said. I dont think that perception is accurate, but Im sensitive to the perception.

Pauls comments came on the same day the 4th Circuit Court of Appeals reinstated same-day registration during the early voting period and out-of-precinct voting ahead of the General Election in November.

Paul said he does not oppose voter identification and shows his drivers license when he votes.

I want to change the perception of the Republican Party, he said. I want people to know I want a Republican Party that welcomes new people to the party African-Americans, Hispanics, you name it. I want new people in the party and my policy is more people voting, not less.

Jones said he disagreed with the change implemented by North Carolinas General Assembly which reduced the length of early voting. Like Paul, Jones said he has no problem with the concept of presenting a photo identification to vote.

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Paul: Jones an independent voice