Can I Vote in North Carolina Using My Student ID?

• North Carolina implemented a new voter ID requirement.
• Voters can request an ID exception form and provisional ballot to vote.
• The North Carolina State Board of Elections awaits more higher education institutions to apply to have their student IDs approved as voter IDs.

North Carolina students can vote using their college student identification (ID) if they attend an institution on the State Board of Education-approved list of colleges and universities.

The North Carolina State Board of Elections approved 99 student and public employee IDs on July 17 for the 2023 municipal elections and 2024 primary and general elections.

North Carolina implemented a voter ID requirement this spring and called for public and private education institutions to submit applications by May 30 to have their IDs approved for voting.

We are grateful to all institutions that applied to have their identification cards approved for voters for the 2023 municipal elections, said Karen Brinson Bell, executive director of the State Board of Elections, in the press release. This gives voters additional options when casting their ballot.

All approved institution IDs include photos. However, according to the Board, all voters can vote without ID with a Photo ID Exception Form and a provisional ballot. The same goes for all absentee voters.

The Board also recommended that if a voter does not have an accepted photo ID, they can get one for free at a local North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles office. Voters can also get a free ID card from their county board of elections office.

This new process should not discourage or prevent any eligible individual from voting and having their ballot counted, said Brinson Bell. The State Board and county boards of elections are here to assist any voter who needs an ID or has questions about this law.