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The State Board of Elections has a released a snazzy new video reminding folks that beginning in 2016, North Carolina will require voters to show an acceptable form of photo identification when voting in person at the polls. Their website contains information about the requirements outlined in state statutes (Session Law 2013-381 and Session Law 2015-103).
Additionally, our state’s Voter Outreach Team is available to provide information and assistance. They can be reached by calling 1-866-522-4723 or by emailing VoterOutreach.sboe@ncsbe.gov.
What type of photo IDs will be accepted in 2016?
- NC Driver’s License, Learner’s Permit, or Provisional License
- Special Identification card (NC DMV ID Card)
- U.S. Passport
- U.S. Military Identification card (Including Active, Retired, Dependents, and Civilian)
- U.S. Veterans Identification card (issued by the Department of Veterans Affairs)
- Out-of-state-driver’s license or non-operator’s identification card (BUT only if the voter registers to vote in the county within 90 days of the election)
- Tribal Enrollment card issued by a federally-recognized tribe or a Tribal enrollment card issued by a NC-recognized tribe, signed by an elected tribal official, and compliant with G.S. § 163-166.13. Cards issued by North Carolina-recognized tribes and approved by the State Board of Elections are acceptable for voting if they are unexpired. Cards issued by federally-recognized tribes are acceptable if they are unexpired, or if they have an issuance date and were issued within eight years.
If you do not have one of the above forms of acceptable photo ID, you are eligible for a free NC identification card from the DMV.
Still unable to get an acceptable photo ID?
Voters who are unable to obtain an acceptable photo ID due to a reasonable impediment may still vote a provisional ballot at the polls. A reasonable impediment may include the lack of proper documents, family obligations, transportation problems, work schedule, illness or disability, among others. Voters must also:
- Sign a declaration describing the impediment they face; and
- Provide their date of birth and last four digits of their Social Security number, or present their current voter registration card, or present a copy of an acceptable document with their name and address. Acceptable documents include a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck, or other government document.
Voting absentee ballot by mail?
Photo ID is not required to cast a mail-in absentee ballot. Absentee Ballot Request Forms are available online, at the county board of elections and at all one-stop early voting locations, and can be submitted until 5:00 p.m. on the Tuesday before the date of the election.
Forgot your acceptable photo ID?
Voters who do not present an acceptable photo ID at the polling place may still vote a provisional ballot that will be counted if the voter later presents an acceptable photo ID at their county board of elections office before noon on the day before their county board canvasses the election.
Qualified to vote curbside?
Voters who cannot enter the polling place without assistance because of age or disability may vote from their vehicle. Those voters may present either an acceptable photo ID or another acceptable document with their name and address. Acceptable documents include a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck, or other government document.
Other circumstances?
Additional options exist for voters with a sincerely held religious objection to being photographed, voters who are victims of certain declared natural disasters, and newly registered voters who possess a drivers license or non-operators license issued within the United States. For details, visit VoterID.nc.gov.
Does my ID have to be current & unexpired?
Voters over the age of 70
Any voter 70 years of age or older may use an expired photo ID, provided that it is one of the acceptable photo ID’s and that it expired at any time after the voter’s 70th birthday. If the photo ID was unexpired when the voter turned 70 years old, it will be acceptable for voting.
North Carolina DMV-issued Photo ID
North Carolina DMV-issued driver’s licenses, learner’s permits, provisional licenses, and special identification cards are acceptable if the printed expiration date is not more than four years before it is presented for voting.
U.S. Passport
U.S. Passports must be unexpired.
Tribal Enrollment Card
Tribal enrollment cards issued by federally-recognized tribes must be unexpired, if the photo ID contains a printed expiration date. If the tribal enrollment card does not contain a printed expiration date, it shall be acceptable if it has a printed issuance date that is not more than eight years before it is presented for voting. Tribal enrollment cards issued by a tribe recognized by North Carolina must be unexpired.
Military Identification Card and Veterans ID Card
U.S. military identification cards and Veterans Identification Cards issued by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs must be unexpired, if the photo ID has a printed expiration date. If the photo ID does not have a printed expiration date, then the ID is acceptable for voting.
For more information, including how to obtain a no-fee ID card, please visit the State Board of Election’s Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page.