Election Day is here, and North Carolina residents should know what identification is required for voters.
While an acceptable photo ID is required to vote in the state, all residents are allowed to vote with or without a photo ID on hand. An ID Exception Form can be filled out instead, during which a reason must be indicated why you cannot provide an ID.
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The N.C. State Board of Elections accepts a number of forms of ID, including unexpired driver’s licenses, non-operator IDs, certain student IDs, passports and more. In some cases, even ID cards can be used. Here’s everything to know before heading to the polls today.
What do I need to vote in NC? Do I need ID to vote in NC?
In North Carolina, voters are asked to show photo ID when voting, but will be allowed to vote with or without a photo ID by filling out an ID Exception Form.
What type of ID can I use to vote in NC?
The following forms of ID are accepted at the polls in North Carolina:
- Unexpired N.C. driver’s license (or expired class C licenses if the ID expired on or after July 1, 2025)
- Unexpired state ID from the N.C. Department of Motor Vehicles, also called a “non-operator ID”
- Unexpired driver’s license or non-driver ID from another state, District of Columbia, or U.S. territory (only if voter registered in N.C. within 90 days of the election)
- Unexpired U.S. Passport or U.S. Passport card
- Unexpired N.C. voter photo ID card issued by a county board of elections
- Unexpired college or university student photo ID approved by the N.C. State Board of Elections
- Unexpired state or local government or charter school employee photo ID approved by the N.C. SBE
- Military or veterans ID card with photo issued by the U.S. government
- Tribal enrollment card with photo issued by a tribe recognized by the state or the federal government
- ID card with photo issued by an agency of the U.S. government or N.C. for a public assistance program
Additionally, a voter 65 or older may use an expired form of acceptable ID if the ID was unexpired on their 65th birthday. More information is available at ncsbe.gov/voting/voter-id.
Can I vote with student ID in North Carolina?
Under state law, colleges and universities must get their student IDs approved by the State Board of Elections before students can use them to vote. The N.C. State Board of Elections provides a directory of schools with approved IDs at ncsbe.gov/voting/voter-id/student-and-public-employee-ids-approved-voting.
NC Voter Identification Amendment
A ballot measure on N.C. ballots today could change photo ID requirements – but not for in-person votes. If passed, the N.C. Voter Identification Amendment measure would require photo ID to vote for all voters in the state, not just those voting in person.
The amendment, which was passed by the state Senate in a 30-19 vote along partisan lines with Republicans in favor and Democrats opposed, has received criticism, in part because current N.C. law already requires a copy of ID or qualified exemption to be provided for absentee voting. Critics say the amendment is unnecessary and could create further barriers for military and overseas voters.
Reporting by Iris Seaton, Asheville Citizen Times / Asheville Citizen Times
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
