Beginning with the 2023 municipal elections, North Carolina voters will be asked to show photo ID when they check in to vote in person.
Voters who vote by mail will be asked to include a photocopy of an acceptable ID when returning their ballot by mail.
Voters may use any of the following that is unexpired, or expired for one year or less:
- North Carolina Driver’s License
- U.S. Passport/U.S. Passport Card
- State ID (“non-operator ID”), from the NCDMV
- NC Voter Photo ID card, issued by a county board of elections.
- College/university student ID approved by NCSBE
- Charter school employee ID approved by NCSBE
- State/local government employee ID approved by NCSBE
- Driver’s license/non-driver ID from another state, D.C., or U.S. territory
Additionally, voters may use any of the following, regardless of whether the ID contains an expiration or issuance date:
- Military or veteran ID card issued by the U.S. government
- Tribal enrollment card issued by a State or federally recognized tribe
- ID card issued by a U.S. government agency or the State of NC for a public assistance program
Note: Voters ages 65+ may use an expired ID if it was unexpired on their 65th birthday.
All voters will be allowed to vote with or without a photo ID.
If any voter is unable to show a photo ID when voting in person, they may:
- Vote with an ID Exception Form and a provisional ballot, or
- Vote with a provisional ballot and return to their county board of elections with their photo ID by the day before the county canvass. The deadline is the second Thursday following Election Day.
If any voter is unable to provide a copy of their photo ID when voting by mail, they may complete an ID Exception Form and return it in the absentee ballot return envelope.
For up-to-date information and a list of permitted Exceptions, please refer to the NC State Board of Elections Voter ID website: https://www.ncsbe.gov/voting/voter-id
Page Updated: 7/30/2023