You now need to show an NC driver’s license or other “acceptable photo ID” (see below) to vote with a regular ballot due to a ruling by the NC Supreme Court.
Quick Facts About Voter Photo ID Requirements in NC
- Voters are asked to show photo id when voting in North Carolina.
- Registered voters without a photo ID can now go to their County Board of Elections office to get a free ID.
- Voters who vote by mail will need to include a photocopy of their ID inside the envelope. If they can’t include a copy, they can complete an ID Exception Form and return it with the ballot. Photo ID is not required for military or overseas voters who use different voting procedures. Visit ncvoter.org/voter-id for real time updates.
Acceptable IDs
- NC Driver’s License
Must NOT be expired OR expired for 1 year or less - Non-Driver’s ID from NC DMV
Must NOT be expired OR expired for 1 year or less - U.S. Passport or Passport Card
Must NOT be expired OR expired for 1 year or less - Driver’s License or Non-Driver ID from A State, Washington DC or U.S. Territory
Only if voter registered in North Carolina within 90 days of the election
Must NOT be expired OR expired for 1 year or less - State or Local Government or Charter School Employee ID approved by the NCSBE
Must NOT be expired OR expired for 1 year or less
- College or University Student ID approved by the NCSBE
Must NOT be expired OR expired for 1 year or less - NC Voter Photo ID Card (free, issued by a county board of elections)
Voter must provide name, DOB, and the last 4 numbers of their SSN, and have their photo taken
Must NOT be expired OR expired for 1 year or less - Tribal Enrollment Card
Must be issued by tribe recognized by NC or federal government.
May be expired or have no expiration date - Military or Veteran ID Card issued by the U.S. Government
May be expired or have no expiration date - Public Assistance Program ID Card issued by NC or U.S. Government
May be expired or have no expiration date
What Else Do I Need to Know?
- The address on your ID does not matter to vote – the law says ID is only used to prove who you are, not where you live. (Make sure your voter registration matches your current address!)
- A voter 65 or older may use an expired form of acceptable ID if the ID was unexpired on their 65th birthday – it’s good for life!
What if I forget to bring my ID?
If you forgot to bring your acceptable photo ID, you can vote a provisional ballot, and you must take an acceptable ID to your county elections board by the day before election results are certified (county canvass day, the second Thursday after the Primary and General Election Days in 2024). If you don’t have an acceptable ID, whether voting in person or by mail, you can request and fill out an ID Exception Form (also known as a reasonable impediment form) and vote a provisional ballot.
This accessible fact sheet is based on content provided by Democracy NC and the North Carolina Black Alliance. Visit NCBA’s SafeVoterNC.org for election dates and deadlines.