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Due to a recent NC Supreme Court decision, a photo ID will now be required to vote in NC beginning with the municipal elections in the fall of 2023, but there are exceptions! See the NC Board of Elections info on Voter ID here.
Voting questions? Call our non-partisan voter information hotline at 888-OUR-VOTE.

Voter ID

Do I need an ID to vote in NC?

Vote with or Without ID

Due to an April 2023 ruling by the NC Supreme Court, you now need to show an NC driver’s license or other “acceptable photo ID” to vote with a regular ballot. If you don't have an acceptable ID, you still have other options.
View Acceptable IDs
PhotoID

What if I don't have an "acceptable ID" to vote?

You have other options if you do not have the acceptable forms of photo ID, such as completing an ID Exception Form and submitting it with a provisional ballot during in-person voting or with your absentee ballot if voting by mail (see acceptable ID exceptions here).

What if I forget my ID when I go to vote in-person?

If you do have an acceptable ID but forget to bring it to the polling place when you vote, you can vote a provisional ballot and then return to your county board of elections with an acceptable ID by the day of county canvass (the Monday after Election Day for municipal elections; the second Thursday after Election Day for all other elections).

Is there any way to get an ID for free?

Anyone who is a North Carolina resident can get a free non-driver's ID card from the DMV (see info here).

Soon, all county boards of elections will also be able to issue a free voter photo ID card to any voters registered in their county. To get a free voter photo ID, you must allow them to take your photo and provide your name, date of birth, and last 4 digits of your social security number.