Voter ID

All voters will be allowed to vote with or without a photo ID!

  • If you have an ID, bring it with you to vote.

  • If you don’t have an accepted ID, ask for the Photo ID Exception Form when you go to the polls. Your ballot will count if you properly complete the form.

Accepted photo ID’s

Voter ID is about the face, not the place! The addresses on your photo ID and your voter registration do not have to match.

Unexpired or expired for one year or less

  • Free voter ID from your county board of elections! You must already be registered to vote in your county. No documentation is required. Provide your name, date of birth, the last four digits of your Social Security number, and have your photo taken.

  • NC driver’s license or NC DMV issued ID

  • Out-of-state driver’s license or non-driver ID (only if the voter registered in North Carolina within 90 days of the election)

  • US passport or passport card

  • NC student ID or NC government ID (some restrictions apply)

Regardless of expiration

  • US military or veteran ID

  • Tribal ID

  • ID card from US or NC government public assistance program

Voter ID FAQ

What do I do if I …

  • You can get a free ID from your county’s board of elections if you are already registered to vote and have time before election day.

    Don’t have an ID on election day? Ask for the Photo ID Exception Form! You will be given a provisional ballot and allowed to vote.

  • Forgot your ID? Go home and get it if there is still time to vote. Otherwise, vote a provisional ballot and bring the ID to the county board of elections office by the day before the county Day of Canvass (which occurs 10 days after the election). Click here to learn more from the NCSBE.

  • It doesn’t matter! As long as your ID has a photo that identifies you and is from the NCSBE’s approved list, you will be able to vote. The address on your ID DOES NOT have to match your voter registration.

  • If you registered to vote in North Carolina within 90 days of the election, you can use an out-of-state ID.

  • Over the age of 65? You can use an expired form of acceptable ID if the ID was unexpired on your 65th birthday.

    Under the age of 65? If your ID has been expired for one year or less then You Can Vote!

    Some forms of ID will be valid regardless of the expiration or issuance date, including military or veterans ID cards, tribal enrollment cards, and ID cards issued by the US government or state of NC for a public assistance program. Click here to learn more from the NCSBE.

  • Bring it with you when you go to vote! The NCSBE has approved a list of 100+ student and employee IDs that can be used for voting.

  • If your ID does not look like you (or match how you currently present with regards to gender identity), you may obtain a free voter ID from your county board of elections. No documentation is required to obtain this free voter ID but you must already be registered to vote in your county. To be issued a free voter photo ID card, the voter must provide their name, date of birth, and the last four digits of their Social Security number, and have their photo taken. Click here for more details.

  • If you lost your ID due to Hurricane Helene or another natural disaster that occurred within 100 days of the election, you can vote without ID by requesting and completing the Photo ID Exception Form.

    Fill in your name and contact information at the top and then check the box for "EXCEPTION 3: VICTIM OF A NATURAL DISASTER." Make sure you sign your name at the bottom of the form. You will be given a provisional ballot and allowed to vote.

Learn more

Visit the NC State Board of Elections’ Voter ID page.

Voter ID

Visit the NC State Board of Elections’ Voter ID FAQ.

Voter ID FAQ