Don’t forget to bring your photo ID with you when you vote this year.
A 2018 law created a photo ID requirement for voting in North Carolina, but it was been tied up in court proceedings, so it has not been enforced for several years. In April 2023, the NC Supreme Court issued a decision reinstating the photo ID law. Many nonprofit organizations have expressed concerns that the voter ID law could make voting more difficult for many people served by nonprofits, particularly seniors, people with disabilities, and low-income citizens.
The NC State Board of Elections (NCSBE) has posted clear guidance on the photo ID requirements. Some highlights include:
- A reminder that: “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.”
- Details on the process of showing a photo ID for in-person voters and absentee-by-mail voters.
- A detailed list of acceptable forms of photo ID for the election.
- Information about getting a free photo ID from your county board of elections.
- Helpful answers to questions about photo ID requirements in a five-minute video, FAQs, and ID exceptions.
You Can Vote also has some helpful “pro-tips” on the most effective ways for nonprofits to communicate with people about the photo ID requirements.
Note: If you missed the other Election Tips of the Week (checking your voter registration, requesting an absentee ballot, using the great (and free) resources from You Can Vote, making a plan to vote early, and advantages of being an unaffiliated voter in a primary election), or want a refresher, feel free to click the link to (re)read them now.
