From the North Carolina Board of Election website.

Voters will be asked to show photo ID when voting in North Carolina.

Most voters will simply show their driver’s license. But there are many other acceptable photo IDs.

If a voter does not have an acceptable photo ID, they can get one for free from their county board of elections. Learn more at Get a Free Voter Photo ID. 

Voters can also get a free ID card from the N.C. Division of Motor Vehicles (NCDMV). Find more information under “No-Fee ID Cards” at State IDs | NCDMV.

All voters will be allowed to vote with or without a photo ID. If a voter cannot show photo ID when voting in person, they can still vote by filling out an ID Exception Form. If absentee-by-mail voters are unable to include a copy of their photo ID with their ballot return envelope, they can also fill out an ID Exception Form with their ballot. Find more information under ID Exceptions below.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can I get an ID from the county board of elections during the early voting period?

Yes. County boards will be issuing voter photo IDs during early voting. They cannot issue IDs between the last day of early voting and Election Day, however.

Can a poll worker reject my photo ID because my appearance has changed since my photo was taken?

Election workers are looking to see if the photo on the ID “reasonably resembles” the voter. Election workers will be trained to understand that appearances may change over time. If the election worker checking the voter in does not believe the photo reasonably resembles the voter, the voter will still be allowed to vote a regular ballot unless the judges of election at the polling place unanimously agree that the photo does not bear a reasonable resemblance to the voter, in which case the voter will be allowed to vote a provisional ballot.

If I forgot ID, can I go get it and return to vote?

Yes. If a voter does not provide ID, instead of voting with an ID Exception Form or voting with a provision ballot and later returning with ID, the voter may simply decide not to request a ballot at that time, go get an ID, and then return to vote. Once a voter accepts a ballot, however, they may not return to vote.

What student and public employee IDs are approved for voting?

The State Board of Elections has approved 100 student and employee identification cards across the state for use in the 2023 municipal elections and 2024 primary and general elections in North Carolina. View the list at Student and Public Employee IDs Approved for Voting. In the coming months, the State Board will announce additional ID application periods for the 2024 elections.

Will my ballot be counted if I properly fill out an ID Exception Form?

Yes. A ballot from an eligible, registered voter with a properly completed ID Exception Form must be counted. Such a ballot may only be rejected if the bipartisan county board of elections unanimously decides that the voter provided false information on the form.

Is photo ID required for military and overseas voters (aka, UOCAVA voters)?

No. Photo ID is not required for military or overseas voters who vote using special absentee voting procedures that federal law makes available for such voters. Find more information at Military and Overseas Voting.

Where can I read the photo ID laws?

The photo ID laws are found in the following statutes and rules:

• Voter photo identification cards (N.C.G.S. § 163-82.8A)

• Requirement for photo identification to vote in person (N.C.G.S. § 163-166.16)

• Approval of student identification cards for voting identification (N.C.G.S. § 163-166.17)

• Approval of employee identification cards for voting identification (N.C.G.S. § 163-166.18)

• Simultaneous issuance of absentee ballots with application (N.C.G.S. § 163-230.1(f1) and (g))

• Verification of Photo Identification During In-Person Voting (08 NCAC 17 .0101)

• Photo Identification for Absentee-By-Mail Ballots (08 NCAC 17 .0109)