RALEIGH House Republicans took more steps toward changing N.C. election rules on Tuesday, passing bills that would return partisan judicial races, stop public financing of three statewide contests and make it easier for third parties to get on the ballot.

A committee also advanced what one lawmaker called a "purist" version of a photo ID bill after a last-minute effort at compromise fell apart.

The votes came as legislators, facing adjournment next week, scrambled to make a Thursday deadline to pass bills out of the House.

The election bills, which would take effect for next year's presidential election, come three weeks after the House passed a bill shortening the state's early-voting period by a week. Like the other measures, it next goes to the Senate.

Meanwhile the Senate, along party lines, passed a bill that would prevent straight-ticket voting in North Carolina. In 2008, more than 2million voters cast straight tickets - mostly Democrats.

One of Tuesday's most contentious measures would restore partisan labels to judicial races for the first time since 2004 and end public financing for three statewide offices. It tentatively passed the House 67-51.

Advocates argued that party labels help voters.

"We have a terrible system," said Republican Rep. Paul Stam of Wake County. "At least when people ran in the primaries, the parties vetted the candidates and did a fairly decent job of weeding out the bad ones."

But Democrats called it a step backward.

"It's simply inappropriate to be partisan as a judge," said House Minority Leader Joe Hackney, D-Orange.

One of the most contentious election issues involves voter IDs.

Tuesday morning Republican sponsors floated a compromise that would have allowed non-photo IDs. By 6 p.m., after apparently abandoning hope of bipartisan support, they had what co-sponsor Tim Moore of Cleveland County called a "purist" version. It would require a photo ID.

The bill easily passed the Appropriations Committee and could reach the House floor today or Thursday.

Republicans say it would prevent voter fraud. Democrats say it would keep many voters - mostly groups that tend to vote Democratic - from the polls.

"The bill gives up any pretense of compromise and neutrality," said Democratic Rep. Rick Glazier of Cumberland County. "It will effectively disenfranchise thousands of voters."

Critics say the bill almost certainly would invite a veto by Democratic Gov. Bev Perdue.