Voters In Upcoming Elections Will Have To Show Photo ID To Vote

North Carolina voters will now be asked to show photo ID when voting, starting with the 2023 municipal elections.

Most voters will simply show their NC driver’s license, but many other types of photo ID will be accepted. 

Voters without ID can get a “No Fee ID Card” from the NCDMV. Soon, voters will also be able to get a free ID from their county board of elections.

The State Board is developing a process for approving student and public employee IDs for voting.

When a voter checks in to vote, they will be asked to show an acceptable photo ID and election workers check to see if the picture on the ID reasonably resembles the voter. The address on the photo ID does not have to match the voter registration records.

If the voter does not show an acceptable ID, the voter may still vote with an ID Exception Form and a provisional ballot.

There are permitted exceptions to the photo ID requirement including a reasonable impediment, such as lack of transportation, lost or stolen ID, disability or illness, family responsibilities, or other exceptions.

Voters who vote by mail will be asked to include a photocopy of an acceptable ID inside the photo ID envelope that comes with their ballot.

Photo ID is not required for military or overseas voters who vote using special absentee voting procedures.

For more information, visit online NCSBE.gov/voter-ID.