North Carolina

Voter ID in North Carolina

North Carolina has different rules for:

🗳️ Voting in Person

✉️ Voting by Mail

 

IDs for Voting in Person

North Carolina requests a photo ID to vote in person. If you don’t have one, you can still vote by signing an exception form.

Option 1: Show an accepted photo ID

Your photo ID:

• Can be expired up to 1 year (longer if it expired after your 65th birthday).
• Does not need your current address.
• Must show your name, or a name substantially equivalent to your voter registration.

You can show:

• North Carolina driver license
• North Carolina state ID card (also called a non-operator’s ID)
• US passport or passport card
• North Carolina Voter ID card issued by your county
• North Carolina student ID approved by the NC State Board of Elections (list available here)
• Employee ID issued by NC state or local government, or a charter school approved by the NC State Board of Elections (list available here)
• Out-of-state driver’s license or ID card (only if you registered to vote in North Carolina within 90 days of an election)

Accepted with no expiration date required:

• Military identification
• Veterans ID card issued by the US Department of Veterans Affairs
• Tribal enrollment card issued by a Tribe recognized by North Carolina or the federal government

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Option 2: Vote using an ID exception form

If you don’t have an accepted photo ID, you can still vote by completing and signing a Photo ID Exception Form.

You can sign an exception form if:

• You have a reasonable impediment to getting an ID.
• You were affected by a natural disaster within 100 days before Election Day.
• You have a religious objection to being photographed.

See the FAQ “Are there exceptions to North Carolina’s Voter ID Law?” for the details.

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Option 3: Ask for a Provisional Ballot

If you can’t show ID from Option 1 or sign an exception form under Option 2, ask to vote using a provisional ballot.

Provisional ballots are a backup option to make sure eligible voters are not turned away.

Your provisional ballot counts if:

• You bring an accepted photo ID to your county board of elections after voting.
• You meet your county’s return deadline.

Deadline to return your ID:

• Municipal elections in September and October: the Monday following Election Day.
• All other elections: the second Thursday following Election Day.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What if I don’t have the right ID to vote in North Carolina?

You still have options if you don’t have an accepted ID.

Complete a Photo ID Exception Form

• You can vote without ID by completing and signing a Photo ID Exception Form.

Vote a Provisional Ballot and return with ID

• Vote a provisional ballot if you cannot present ID or confirm your identity.
• Submit an accepted photo ID to your county board of elections before the county canvass.
• For municipal elections in September and October, the deadline is the Monday after Election Day; for all others, the second Thursday after Election Day.

How can I get a free ID in North Carolina?

Free IDs are available for North Carolina voters!

Any registered voter can get one of two types of free ID.

You can choose from:

• A free state ID card from the NC DMV. If you don’t have an accepted photo ID, the N.C. Division of Motor Vehicles (NCDMV) will issue one at no cost.
• A voter photo ID card from your County Board of Elections. Provide your name, date of birth, and the last four digits of your Social Security number. It can only be used for voting, expires 10 years after it is issued, and counts until one year past expiration.

You may need to provide supporting documents to confirm your identity.

👋 VoteRiders can also help you get free ID to vote in North Carolina.

Contact our Helpline to get started!

Accepted IDs

Are there exceptions to North Carolina’s Voter ID Law?

There are three exceptions to the requirement to present an accepted ID in person.

If you meet one of these, you can complete an ID Exception Form and vote a provisional ballot.

Reasonable Impediment

You can sign a Reasonable Impediment Declaration if you can’t get an ID because of:

• Lack of transportation
• Disability or illness
• Missing your birth certificate or other documents required to obtain an ID
• Work schedule
• Family responsibilities
• Lost or stolen photo ID
• You applied for a photo ID but have not received it yet
• Other: you may write in another reason, and the county board of elections will decide whether to accept it

Natural Disaster

If you cannot provide a photo ID because you were a victim of a natural disaster within 100 days before Election Day (as declared by the Governor of North Carolina or the President), you may sign an affidavit and vote a provisional ballot. Voters in the 25 counties and three tribal areas designated as disaster areas after Hurricane Helene can use a Photo ID Exception Form.

Religious Objection

If you cannot get a photo ID because you have a religious objection to being photographed, you may sign an affidavit and vote a provisional ballot.

Can I use a digital or mobile ID to vote in North Carolina?

You must show a physical ID at the polls.

North Carolina does not accept mobile or digital ID. You cannot use an image or copy of your ID when voting in person.

Do I need a “REAL ID” to vote in North Carolina?

You do not need a “REAL ID” to vote in North Carolina.

“REAL ID” is a set of national security standards for states to follow when they issue driver’s licenses and state ID cards. Your ID will show a star if it meets REAL ID standards.

How to get a “REAL ID” in North Carolina:

• You must appear in person to apply for your driver’s license or ID card.
• You must bring a variety of documents to prove your identity.
• Visit the North Carolina DMV website to check what you need.

 

IDs for Voting by Mail

Any registered North Carolina voter can request to vote by mail. You don’t have to give a reason, and you can request online or by mail.

You must give your date of birth and one of these numbers to request your ballot:

• North Carolina driver license number
• North Carolina state ID card number
• Last 4 digits of Social Security number

You must include a photocopy of an accepted photo ID with your completed ballot.

Place a copy of your accepted photo ID inside the “photo ID envelope.” If you don’t have one, or can’t attach a copy, you can sign a Photo ID Exception Form instead — it is mailed to you with your ballot.

Your ballot envelope must be signed by two witnesses or one notary public.

Any adult can be your witness, except a candidate who is not related to you.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How do I get a North Carolina mail ballot?

Here’s how to request your mail ballot!

You can submit your request online or by mail. If you have an illness or physical disability expected to last the rest of the calendar year, you can request to vote by mail for all elections held that year with a written request.

You need to give your date of birth and an ID number when you make your request.

What if I can’t attach ID to my North Carolina mail ballot?

You can still return your ballot without a copy of your ID.

You can sign a Photo ID Exception Form if:

• You don’t have an accepted photo ID due to religious objection, natural disaster, or reasonable impediment.
• You have an accepted photo ID but can’t attach a copy of it.

The Photo ID Exception Form is mailed to you with your ballot.

How can I track my North Carolina mail ballot?

You can track the status of your absentee ballot online, including whether it has been received and accepted.

Can I fix my North Carolina mail ballot if it is rejected?

If there are any problems with your absentee ballot envelope, the county board of elections must notify you and provide a form to sign (called a “cure certification”).

What to do:

• Complete and sign the cure certification your county sends you.
• If needed, include a copy of your accepted photo ID.
• Return it by email, mail, in person, or fax by 5:00 PM the day before the county canvass.

 

→ Step 2: Register

Voting in Person

North Carolina requests photo ID to vote in person. You can vote without a photo ID if you sign an ID exception form. 

Registered voters without ID can still vote by signing a form. See the FAQ “What if I don’t have the right ID to vote in North Carolina?” for more info!

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Voting by Mail 

Any registered voter can request to vote by mail in North Carolina. You don’t have to give a reason why you can’t vote in person. 

Requesting an Absentee Ballot 

A request for an absentee ballot can be submitted online or via mail. If a voter has an illness or or physical disability that is expected to last the remainder of the calendar year, the voter may request to vote by mail-in absentee ballot for all of the primaries and elections held during that calendar year by submitting a written request.

You must provide your date of birth and one of the following to verify your identity:

• North Carolina driver license number
• North Carolina state ID card number
• Last four digits of your Social Security number.

Returning an Absentee Ballot 

You are required to provide a photocopy of one of the accepted forms of photo ID inside the “photo ID envelope”.

If you do not have an accepted photo ID due to religious objection, natural disaster or reasonable impediment (see above regarding exceptions to NC’s voter ID law), you will be permitted to sign an ID Exception Form instead. The ID Exception Form will be mailed to you with your ballot.

If you do have an accepted photo ID but are not able to attach a copy of it, you will also be permitted to sign an ID Exception Form.

Your ballot envelope must also signed by two witnesses or one notary public. Any adult can be your witness (except for candidates who are not related to you).

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Frequently Asked Questions

How can I track my North Carolina mail ballot?

You can track the status of your absentee ballot and whether it has been received and accepted online.

Can I fix my North Carolina mail ballot if it is rejected?

If there are any problems with your absentee ballot envelope, the county board of elections must inform you and provide you with a form to sign (called a “cure certification”).

You have until 5pm the day before the county canvass to fix any issues and ensure your vote is counted. You can return the cure certification (and if needed a copy of your ID) by email, mail, in person, or by fax.