April 22, 2026 — Voters who rely on the ID exception form — those without access to a qualifying photo ID due to a lost document, lack of transportation, disability, or natural disaster — are already among the most vulnerable in North Carolina’s electoral system. On April 22, 2026, the North Carolina State Board of Elections moved forward with proposed rule changes that put those voters at even greater risk.
Changes to Voter ID Exception Forms
The state board has proposed changing how voter ID exception form ballots can be discarded, lowering the threshold from a unanimous vote to a simple majority. With all 100 county boards currently under single-party control, this is a direct threat to ballot access for thousands of North Carolinians. And with razor-thin margins deciding local and statewide races, the stakes could not be higher.
North Carolina’s photo voter ID law was reinstated in April 2023 when the newly Republican-majority state Supreme Court reversed its own ruling in Holmes v. Moore, which had struck the law down as racially discriminatory. Black voters make up 23% of registered voters in North Carolina, but 34% are without a qualifying ID, and voter ID has been shown to suppress turnout among Black and brown voters even before they reach the polls. In 2024, voter ID was the second most common problem raised by callers to North Carolina’s Election Protection Hotline, and roughly 74% of voters who cast provisional ballots for lack of photo ID never returned with documentation and lost their votes entirely.
Amplified Sound at Polls
The board also proposed updating rules around buffer zones, electioneering, and conduct at sites. What’s particularly concerning is new language targeting “amplified sound” near polling locations. If you’re thinking what we’re thinking — yes, this could be aimed directly at Souls to the Polls, Student Marches, and Parties at the Polls… events that have historically brought joy, community, and thousands of voters to the ballot box.
What if ICE or the Feds Show Up?
While not originally on the agenda, Board members Jeff Carmon and Siobhan O’Duffy Millen said what a lot of us are already thinking — what happens if ICE, troops, or other federal agents show up at our polling locations? They pushed for the board to provide county election offices with clear guidance on how to handle those situations and protect voters. It was a bold and necessary ask, but unfortunately, the motion did not pass.
What Happens Next?
Public comment periods for the voter ID exception form and voting site rule changes open May 15, 2026.
This is our chance to make our voices heard, and we need as many advocates on record as possible. Start thinking now about what you want to say, especially around:
- The potential to toss out ballots from voters who use the ID exception form
- Voting site restrictions and what they mean for community mobilization events
We’ll share exact deadlines and submission links as soon as they’re available.