Voting Information Update
The General Election is Nov. 5. Vote early between Oct. 17 and Nov. 2.
Voters must have a Photo ID to vote in the General Election Nov. 5, or for Early Voting between Oct. 17 and Nov. 2.
Because this is a fairly new requirement in NC, it is important that every voter know what forms of Photo ID are accepted, and how to get one if you don’t already have a valid Photo ID. We’ve listed below the acceptable forms of Voter Photo ID that you can use to vote. If you do not have any of them, you may get one from your local Board of Elections. Here’s how to get a free voter ID from your county board of elections.
Get a FREE Voter Photo ID
Locate your county board of elections. Only the board of elections in the county where you are registered to vote can issue you a free voter ID. Visit vt.ncsbe.gov/BOEInfo to determine where your county elections office is. (In Buncombe County, the Board of Elections is at 59 Woodfin Place, off Charlotte Street.)
Visit your county board of elections during business hours. These are set by each county; learn from your county board of elections when they are open. They can issue voter ID cards at any time during regular business hours, up until the end of early voting (Saturday, Nov. 2, 3 p.m.) through the end of Election Day.
Provide your information and have your photo taken. No documents are needed. Simply provide your name, date of birth, and the last four digits of your Social Security number using the request form provided by your county board of elections. Once you have provided this information, you will have your photo taken.
Most of the time, you will be able to get an ID printed and given to you on the spot. Sometimes, your board of elections may need to get the required information from you, take your photo, then mail the ID card to you or inform you that the ID card is ready to be picked up, whichever you prefer.
The free voter photo ID will include your photo, name, and registration number. It will expire 10 years from the date of issuance.
If you have questions about the free voter photo ID process, please contact your county board of elections.
Accepted IDs
Any of the following unexpired IDs are acceptable, as well as those that are expired for one year or less:
- North Carolina driver’s license
- State ID from the NCDMV (also called “non-operator ID”)
- Driver’s license or a non-driver ID from another state, District of Columbia, or U.S. territory (These are eligible only if you registered in North Carolina within 90 days of the election.)
- U.S. Passport or U.S. Passport card
- North Carolina voter photo ID card issued by a county board of elections (See: Get a FREE Voter Photo ID)
- College or university student ID approved by the State Board of Elections (all local area colleges and university photo IDs are currently eligible)
- State or local government or charter school employee ID approved by the State Board of Elections
Note: A voter 65 or older may use an expired form of acceptable ID if the ID was unexpired on their 65th birthday.
Any of the following, regardless of whether the ID contains an expiration or issuance date:
- Military or veterans ID card (with photo) issued by the U.S. government
- Tribal enrollment card (with photo) issued by a tribe recognized by the State of North Carolina or the federal government
- ID card (with photo) issued by an agency of the U.S. government or the State of North Carolina for a public assistance program (Note: Although this is an acceptable form of ID under North Carolina law, the State Board is not aware of any such ID in circulation that contains a photo. All IDs for voting are required to have a photo.)
If You Can, VOTE EARLY
Early voting is a way to ensure that your vote is cast before Election Day. This is important because unexpected issues could arise if you wait. You might fall ill a few days before the election, or have a family emergency, or have no ride to the polling place. Or another hurricane or major storm could block roads, keeping you from getting out on Nov. 5.
Voting early is easy: Buncombe County will have Early Voting from Thursday, Oct. 17 through Friday, Nov. 1, every day of the week (Sunday – Saturday) from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. And on Saturday, Nov. 2, Early Voting will be open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Here are approved locations in Buncombe County for early voting (check your county’s Board of Elections for sites in your county):
- Black Mountain Library, 105 N. Dougherty St., Black Mountain
- East Asheville Library, 3 Avon Rd., Asheville
- Enka-Candler Library, 1404 Sand Hill Rd., Candler
- Fairview Library, 1 Taylor Rd., Fairview
- Leicester Community Center, 2979 New Leicester Hwy., Leicester
- South Buncombe Library, 260 Overlook Rd., Asheville
- New location: UNCA Health & Counseling Center, 118 W.T. Weaver Blvd., Asheville
- Weaverville Community Center, 60 Lakeshore Dr., Weaverville
- Dr. Wesley Grant Southside Center, 285 Livingston St., Asheville (replacing the Board of Elections location)
- West Asheville Library, 942 Haywood Rd., Asheville
Make your vote count in this all-important election.