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A photo ID is now 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 the non-partisan voter information hotline at 888-OUR-VOTE.

Voter ID

Do I need an ID to vote in NC?

You now need a photo ID to vote in North Carolina. See below for a list of "acceptable IDs" that will work for you at the polls.

If you do not have an acceptable photo ID currently, you have options to obtain one for free.

If you do not have an acceptable ID when you go to vote, you can ask for a Photo ID Exception Form.

Learn more below.

PhotoID

What IDs will be accepted at the polls?

NOTE: The address on your photo ID does not need to match your voter registration.

The following IDs will qualify as long as they are unexpired or expired for one year or less*:

  • NC Driver's License
  • NC Non-Driver's ID
  • Driver's license or non-driver ID from another state (only for voters registered in NC within 90 days of the election)
  • US Passport or Passport Card
  • NC voter photo ID issued by a county board of elections
  • College or university student ID approved by the State Board of Elections
  • State or local government or charter school employee ID approved by the State Board of Elections

The following IDs will qualify regardless of whether the ID is expired or has no expiration/issuance date:

  • Military or veterans ID card issued by the US government
  • Tribal enrollment card issued by a tribe recognized by the state or federal government
  • ID card issued by an agency of the US government or State of NC for a public assistance program.

*NOTE: If you are 65 years or older, you may use an expired form of acceptable ID if the ID was unexpired on your 65th birthday.

What if I don't have an "acceptable ID" when I go 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, go get it if you have time to get back to your polling place.  If you do not have time to go get your ID and still vote in time, 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).

Where can I obtain an acceptable ID for voting?

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

Also, all county boards of elections are now 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. Find your county board of elections here.

Need help obtaining your ID?

If you are eligible to vote in North Carolina and need help obtaining your NC drivers license, non-driver ID,  or any underlying documents including related fees (such as for a birth certificate or social security card), Vote Riders can help!  Vote Riders is a non-partisan non-profit that provides help to any eligible citizen who needs an ID.  Visit their website, email them, or call 866-ID-2-VOTE (866-432-8683).