Triad City Beat | New NC voting rules: What you need to know

This story was first published by Grace Vitaglione, Carolina Public Press
September 15, 2023

When voting This year In North Carolina, you will be asked for an ID. Even without a photo ID, you will be able to vote thanks to an exception. Many will use their driver’s license, but there are options if you don’t have an ID or it’s expired. Here’s a quick guide to the rules and exceptions. State Board of Elections.

What are acceptable IDs?

List of valid IDs if they have not expired or did so less than a year ago:

• North Carolina Driver’s License
• U.S. Passport or Passport Card
• NC Division of Vehicles State ID
• NC Photo Voter ID Card
• State-Approved College Student ID
• State-Approved Charter School Employee ID
• State Approved Government Employee ID
• Driver’s License/ID from another state, DC, or US Territory

Valid IDs regardless of expiration date:

• U.S. Government Military or Veteran ID
• Tribal enrollment card from a recognized tribe
• ID for public assistance programs issued by the US or North Carolina.

Are student and employee IDs valid?

Only those who are approved to vote count. The State Board of Elections validated 100 student and employee IDs for the 2023 municipal elections and the 2024 primary and general elections in North Carolina. Check the list here. See also the information sheet on voting as a student in North Carolina.

What happens if I vote without a photo ID?

You can still vote thanks to an exception. In this case, you will vote with a provisional ballot and fill out a ID Exception FormIf you vote by mail, include this form with your ballot.

These are the exceptions for voting without a photo ID:

1. The voter has a reasonable impediment to showing the photo ID, such as:

• Lack of transportation
• Disability or illness
• Lack of birth certificate or other documents to obtain ID
• Work or school schedule
• Family responsibilities
• Lost, Stolen or Misplaced Photo ID
• You requested a photo ID but have not received it
• (For mail-in voters only) You cannot attach a copy of your photo ID (Must include driver’s license number or last 4 digits of your Social Security number)
• Other reasonable impediment (Voter must write reason on form)
• State or federal law prohibits stating the reason

2. Religious objection to being photographed

3. Victim of a natural disaster in the last 100 days before the election, declared by the US president or the governor of North Carolina.

What if I don’t meet any of these exceptions?

You can still fill out a provisional ballot. You must then present an acceptable ID at the county election office before the day before the count. county post-electionFor municipal elections in September and October, the deadline is the Monday following Election Day. For all other elections, the deadline is the second Thursday after Election Day.

Does the address on the photo ID have to match voter records?

NoFor those voting in person, the address on the photo ID does not need to match voting records.

What happens if I vote by mail?

Those who vote by mail must put a photocopy of their ID in the envelope containing the ballot. It is then placed in an outer envelope to protect the voter’s privacy. There is an exception if you cannot attach the ID to the mail-in ballot.

What if I don’t have a photo ID?

You can get it in two places: your county board of elections or the NCDMV.

For the county election boards: They will issue free photo IDs during early voting. They will not give out IDs between the last day of voting. early voting and the Election DayTo get one, visit your county board of elections during business hours. To get a free voter ID, you must provide your name, date of birth, last four digits of your Social Security number and take a photo.

What do I do if I don’t have a photo ID?

You can get it at: your county election board or at the NCDMV.

In the electoral boards: During early voting, these boards will give out free photo IDs. But they will not issue them between the last day of voting. early voting and the Election DayTo get one, go to your county board during business hours. For the free ID, provide your name, date of birth, last four digits of your Social Security number and have your photo taken.

You can also get a free ID at the N.C. Division of Motor Vehicles. Go to an NCDMV office with:

Will my vote count if I complete an ID exception form?

Yeahif the form is filled out correctly by an eligible registered voter. The ballot can only be rejected if the county election board, made up of members of both parties, unanimously decides that the voter gave false information on the form. According to Patrick GannonNCSBE’s director of public information, the board can only decide that the form is false after giving the voter notice and an opportunity to defend himself. The decision must be in writing and state the specific reason for the board’s conclusion.

What if my appearance has changed since the photo on the ID?

The photo on the ID must “resemble reasonably” to the voter. Even if the poll worker thinks you don’t look like the photo, you can still vote normally, unless all the judges at the polling place agree that the photo doesn’t look like you. If that happens, you can still vote, but with a provisional ballot.

What does the law say?

Photo ID legislation is found in the following statutes and rules. These state that a registered voter must present a photo ID when voting in person or by mail, and detail the exceptions listed:

Fuente: NC State Board of Elections

Resources

To change the language on the NCSBE website, click “Select Language” in the upper right corner.

This article is part of American Democracy Day, a national collaboration on September 15, the International Day of Democracy, in which news organizations cover how democracy works and the threats it faces. To learn more, visit usdemocracyday.org.

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