State Board of Elections reminds schools, local governments about upcoming voter ID deadlines

The State Board of Elections sent out a reminder Wednesday to colleges and universities, charter schools and local governments about upcoming deadlines to submit applications for their IDs to be eligible for use by voters in 2020.

The state’s new voter ID law requires the State Board to confirm that an institution’s identification card meets certain requirements before it can be used to vote. The agency has already approved dozens of IDs of colleges and universities, charter schools and local and state governments, but there are still many others potentially eligible for use by voters that have not yet been approved.

The State Board stated it continues to work with North Carolina Community Colleges, the University of North Carolina System, the N.C. Association of Independent Colleges and Universities, the N.C. Department of Instruction, the N.C. Association of County Commissioners, the N.C. League of Municipalities, the N.C. City and County Management Association and other groups to ensure their members are aware of the deadlines and details of the approval process.

State Board staff has sent reminders and conducted informational webinars about the process, according to a news release. If certain IDs are not approved, voters may still use another acceptable form of ID or get a free N.C. Voter ID from their county board of elections. A complete list of acceptable IDs can be found here.

“We want as many IDs as possible to be approved for voting purposes for this important election year in North Carolina,” said Karen Brinson Bell, State Board executive director. “We encourage these agencies and educational institutions to submit their approval forms and other required information to the State Board by the relevant deadline.”

See the chart below for information about upcoming voter ID deadlines: