Understanding the Three Amendments on the Ballot
A helpful guide from the League of Women Voters of North Carolina.
This November, North Carolina voters will decide three proposed constitutional amendments.
Constitutional amendments are difficult to change. Before voting, understand not only what each amendment does today, but what it could mean for North Carolina’s future.
The League of Women Voters of North Carolina (LWVNC) opposes all three amendments because they place policy decisions into the Constitution that are better addressed through legislation, where elected officials can respond to changing needs and voters can hold them accountable. The League believes constitutional amendments should strengthen, not limit, the ability of government to serve the public and protect the rights of every eligible voter.
Before voting, ask:
- Is this a constitutional issue or ordinary public policy?
- Does this amendment limit future flexibility?
- Who benefits, and who could be harmed?
- What are the long-term consequences?
Property Tax Levy Limit Amendment
This Constitutional amendment requiring limits on property tax increases by local governments would require the General Assembly to set limits on how much property tax revenue local governments may raise. The amendment does not specify the limit, deferring details to future legislative sessions.
Why LWVNC Opposes It
- Shifts local funding decisions to the state.
- Counties already help fund state responsibilities, including public education and County Boards of Elections, resulting in a reduction of funding.
- Could result in reduced services or greater reliance on fees.
More information is available from the NC Tax and Budget Center at ncbudget.org/levylimit.
Reduce Constitutional Income Tax Cap
This Constitutional amendment to keep the State income tax rate from being raised higher than three and one-half percent (3.5%) would reduce the maximum personal income tax rate from 7% to 3.5%
Why LWVNC Opposes It
- It’s unnecessary. Current law already keeps the tax rate below the proposed cap, so it does not lower taxes.
- Locks tax policy into the Constitution instead of allowing future lawmakers to respond to changing economic conditions.
- Could reduce future funding for education, disaster recovery, healthcare, and other essential services.
More information is available from from the NC Tax & Budget Center at ncbudget.org/10-reasons-ncs-income-tax-cap-amendment-is-a-bad-deal-for-the-states-future.
Require Voter ID for All Voting Methods
This Constitutional amendment would require all voters, not just those presenting to vote in person, to present photo identification before voting.
It would expand the Constitution’s photo ID requirement from in-person voting to all voting methods, including absentee-by-mail and military and overseas (UOCAVA) voters.
Why LWVNC Opposes It
- State law already requires ID for absentee voting.
- Current law protects voters through a Photo ID Exception Form when they cannot reasonably provideID.
- The amendment does not protect these safeguards for exceptions, allowing future legislatures to narrow or eliminate them.
- Creates additional barriers for military members who have already established their eligibility. It also makes it harder for students and elderly people to vote.
Visit my.lwv.org/north-carolina-state for more information.
