North Carolina approves more student and employee IDs you can use to vote

The North Carolina Board of Elections has now listed 120 student and employee photo IDs that can be used to vote in the 2024 elections. 

North Carolina Board of Elections has added to the list of approved student and employee IDs that can be used to vote in the 2024 elections. 

Voters now have to show a photo ID at polling sites, and though many voters will use their driver’s license or passport, the NCBOE has asked state colleges, universities, local governments, and other education institutions to apply to have their IDs approved as well. 

The state board approved the first batch of student IDs ahead of the 2023 municipal elections in November. The latest batch were announced last month. 

Here is the list of new IDs that were approved:

Alamance-Burlington School System, employee

Alamance Community College, student and employee

Alexander County Government, employee

Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College, student

Beaufort County Community College, student

Buncombe County Government, employee

Carolina Charter Academy, employee

Guilford College, student

Pitt Community College, student and employee

Sandhills Community College, student and employee

Town of Chapel Hill, employee

Town of Hillsborough, employee

Wake Technical Community College, student

Wilkes Community College, student and employee

Wilson Community College, student

The first round of IDs approved in November covered most major state universities and systems, including those from all UNC System schools, North Carolina State University, several Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), many county governments, and some charter schools. 

[For a complete list of accepted student and employee IDs, click here. For a list of all the acceptable forms of voter IDs as well as the Board’s FAQ page, click here.]

“We appreciate all colleges and universities and local governments that have applied to have their IDs approved,” Karen Brinson Bell, executive director of the State Board of Elections, said in a news release last month.

“We urge all North Carolina voters to ensure they have an acceptable ID for voting purposes ahead of the 2024 primary election on March 5,” Brinson Bell said. 

Voters who do not yet have an acceptable form of voter ID still have options.

You can get a Voter ID for free at the state Department of Motor Vehicles and, per state law, the county boards of elections will have to provide a free ID card to any voter who asks for one. There is also a plan for eligible voters who don’t have an ID on Election Day. 

“We strongly encourage members of the media and advocacy groups to provide accurate information to voters about the photo ID requirement, including the available exceptions,” Brinson Bell said ahead of the 2023 elections. 

“This new process should not discourage or prevent any eligible individual from voting and having their ballot counted. The State Board and county boards of elections are here to assist any voter who needs an ID or has questions about this law.”