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A photo ID is now required to vote in NC, but there are exceptions.
Find more information here.
Voting questions? Call the non-partisan voter information hotline at 888-OUR-VOTE.

You Now Need an ID to Vote in NC

You now need to show an NC driver's license or other "acceptable photo ID" to vote with a regular ballot. However, you have other options if you do not have the acceptable forms of photo ID, such as completing an ID Exception Form and submitting a provisional ballot during in-person voting (see acceptable ID exceptions here).

I have a new legal name.

You must now show an "acceptable ID" when you vote. Your name on your "acceptable ID" must match the name on your voter registration.

How do I update my name on my voter registration?

A registered voter can update their voter registration to reflect their new legal name in one of the following ways:

  • By submitting a voter registration form (listing their new legal name in Section 2) by mail, fax, or email to their County Board of Elections office (must be received by 5 PM 25 days before Election Day); or
  • By updating this information in person at any Early Voting site in their county during the 17-day Early Voting period before Election Day.
  • By updating their name on the absentee request form, if requesting an absentee by mail ballot
  • By updating their name on the voter registration card and mailing back to the county board of elections (must be received by 5 PM 25 days before Election Day)
  • By mailing a written statement that is signed by the voter and contains the registrant’s full names (old and new), and the registrant’s current residence address.

NOTE The online voter registration platform does NOT allow users to make a name change.

IMPORTANT! A voter who is updating their name will not be asked to present ID or other proof of the name change.

IMPORTANT! It is important to include an up-to-date residence address. Name changes will result in a confirmation mailing being sent to the voter’s residence address. If the mailing is returned as undeliverable, the voter could then be removed from voter rolls.

My appearance has changed.

Can a poll worker reject my ID based on changes in my appearance since my ID photo was taken?

Your ID must "reasonably resemble" your appearance when you go to vote. Elections workers are supposed to be trained to understand that appearances may change.  An individual poll worker cannot prevent your from voting based on changes in your appearance; the judges of election at the polling place must unanimously agree that the photo does not bear a reasonable resemblance to you.  If this happens, you can still vote a provisional ballot.

My gender has changed.

I need to update my voter registration to reflect my gender.

REMEMBER Disclosing gender identity is not required to register to vote in North Carolina – it is optional demographic information that a voter may wish to include.

A voter can change the gender listed in their voter registration in one of the following ways:

  • By submitting a voter registration form (with their gender selected in Section 6) by mail, fax, or email to their County Board of Elections office (must be received by 5 PM 25 days before Election Day); or
  • By updating this information in person at any Early Voting site in their county during the 17-day Early Voting period before Election Day (voter will not be required to show ID).

Other Questions?

For the latest on where or how to vote OR if you have trouble voting, call the non-partisan voter assistance hotline at 888-OUR-VOTE.
888-OUR-VOTE