2015 North Carolina General Statutes
Chapter 163 - Elections and Election Laws.
Article 14A - Voting.
§ 163-166.13 - 13. Photo identification requirement for voting in person.

163-166.13. Photo identification requirement for voting in person.

(a) Every qualified voter voting in person in accordance with this Article, G.S. 163-227.2, or G.S. 163-182.1A shall present photo identification bearing any reasonable resemblance to that voter to a local election official at the voting place before voting, except as follows:

(1) For a registered voter voting curbside, that voter shall present identification under G.S. 163-166.9.

(2) For a registered voter who has a sincerely held religious objection to being photographed and has filed a declaration in accordance with G.S. 163-82.7A at least 25 days before the election in which that voter is voting in person, that voter shall not be required to provide photo identification.

(3) For a registered voter who is a victim of a natural disaster occurring within 60 days before election day that resulted in a disaster declaration by the President of the United States or the Governor of this State who declares the lack of photo identification due to the natural disaster on a form provided by the State Board, that voter shall not be required to provide photo identification in any county subject to such declaration. The form shall be available from the State Board of Elections, from each county board of elections in a county subject to the disaster declaration, and at each polling place and one-stop early voting site in that county. The voter shall submit the completed form at the time of voting.

(b) Any voter who complies with subsection (a) of this section shall be permitted to vote.

(c) Any voter who does not comply with subsection (a) of this section shall be notified of the following options:

(1) The voter is permitted to vote a provisional official ballot which shall be counted in accordance with G.S. 163-182.1A.

(2) The voter is permitted to complete a reasonable impediment declaration, as provided in G.S. 163-166.15, and vote a provisional official ballot which shall be counted in accordance with G.S. 163-182.1B.

(3) The voter is permitted to complete a written request for an absentee ballot in accordance with G.S. 163-227.2(b1) until the deadline for submission of requests for absentee ballots provided in G.S. 163-230.1.

(d) The local election official to whom the photo identification is presented shall determine if the photo identification bears any reasonable resemblance to the voter presenting the photo identification. If it is determined that the photo identification does not bear any reasonable resemblance to the voter, the local election official shall comply with G.S. 163-166.14.

(e) Except as provided in subsection (e1) of this section, as used in this section, "photo identification" means any one of the following that contains a photograph of the registered voter, has a printed expiration date, and is unexpired, unless otherwise noted:

(1) A North Carolina drivers license issued under Article 2 of Chapter 20 of the General Statutes, including a learner's permit or a provisional license, provided that it shall be acceptable if it has a printed expiration date that is not more than four years before it is presented for voting.

(2) A special identification card for nonoperators issued under G.S. 20-37.7, provided that it shall be acceptable if it has a printed expiration date that is not more than four years before it is presented for voting.

(3) A United States passport.

(4) A United States military identification card, except there is no requirement that it have a printed expiration or issuance date.

(5) A Veterans Identification Card issued by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs for use at Veterans Administration medical facilities facilities, except there is no requirement that it have a printed expiration or issuance date.

(6) A tribal enrollment card issued by a federally recognized tribe, provided that if the tribal enrollment card does not contain a printed expiration date, it shall be acceptable if it has a printed issuance date that is not more than eight years before it is presented for voting.

(7) A tribal enrollment card issued by a tribe recognized by this State under Chapter 71A of the General Statutes, provided that card meets all of the following criteria:

a. Is issued in accordance with a process approved by the State Board of Elections that requires an application and proof of identity equivalent to the requirements for issuance of a special identification card by the Division of Motor Vehicles under G.S. 20-7 and G.S. 20-37.7.

b. Is signed by an elected official of the tribe.

(8) A drivers license or nonoperators identification card issued by another state, the District of Columbia, or a territory or commonwealth of the United States, but only if the voter's voter registration was within 90 days of the election.

(f) Any voter 70 years of age or older shall be permitted to present an expired form of photo identification listed in subsection (e) of this section, if that identification expired at any point after that voter's 70th birthday. (2013-381, s. 2.1; 2014-111, s. 7; 2015-103, s. 8(a).)