(RALEIGH) -- Republican state lawmakers say they expect to pass a new law requiring photo identification in order to vote. Eight states currently have that requirement.

Johnson County Senator David Rouzer said that people should have to prove who they are in order to vote.

"I can't think of anything more sacred than an individual's right to vote, particularly insuring that that vote is in fact the vote that they claim that it is," he said.

House Speaker Thom Tillis said that Republicans will continue to focus on their top priorities, which are the state budget and redistricting. But he adds that doesn't mean that other issues, like voter ID, are off the table.