Action Alert: Photo ID In-Person Voting: Suggestions and Rationale

• Choose a Suggestion and its Rationale for the rule Verification of Photo ID During In-Person Voting. (You may pick more than one. Treat each one in a separate entry for Public Comment.)

• Please rephrase the Suggestion and Rational into your own words so the NCSBE treats each submission separately.

• Then click on the Public Comment Portal at the bottom of the page to submit your Comment.

• Email Jane.bilello@gmail.com with the Rule and comment you submitted so we can keep track of submissions. Thanks.

  
  

1. Photo ID In-Person voting   08 NCAC 17.0101

1. Reference: 08 NCAC 17. 0101 (a) (3)    

     Suggestion: To assure verification of the voter, the name on the photo ID must be the same as the first and last name contained on the voter’s registration record. “Substantially equivalent” should be  removed.  The remainder of Section (3) should be deleted.

     Rationale: Matching the name on the ID to the voter registration record is needed to reduce the    

likelihood of duplicate registrations and mismatches.  The full legal name is required on the NC voter registration application. HAVA uses the term “matching” regarding names on the ID and registration.  Using the term ”substantially equivalent” is very subjective and creates a large grey area for many name variations being accepted.  Requiring name matches is an incentive to get the names correct in the voter registration system. Having the names the same on the ID and voter registration list are the responsibility of the voter.  They have been provided a Voter Registration card after registering with their information. It has instructions to review the information and report any changes needed.   The accuracy of the voter rolls is important for secure elections.  Name changes can be accepted during early voting. GS §163-82.6A.

 2. Reference: 08 NCAC 17. 0101 (c)    

      Suggestion:  Section (c) should be re-written, such as:   The difference between the address    

appearing on the photo identification presented by a voter and the address on file in the voter’s

registration record shall not be considered evidence that the photo identification fails to meet the requirements of G.S. 163-166.16(g) or this Rule. 

      Rationale: Section (c) needs to be written more clearly. It is not readily understandable. 

3. Reference: 08 NCAC 17.0101 (d) (2) and (3)

     Suggestion: Sections (d) (2) and (3) should be combined.     Rationale: Section (d) (2) refers to photo identification.  Section (d) (3) refers to photo identification and name.  Both discuss providing other photo identification and voting by provisional ballot.  Only Section (3) talks about a challenge for both photo identification and name.  These sections should be combined to provide clarity.  

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After you have rephrased the Suggestion and Rationale of your choice into your own words:

• Click on  Public Comment Portal: https://www.ncsbe.gov/public-comment-portal-2026-rulemaking-photo-id

• Scroll down to the form, Record Your Public Comment.

• Fill in the form with the Rule, Your Name, Your Email, and Comment. 

We are trying to keep track of numbers of folks who commented. Please, when you complete your public comment, email Jane at jane.bilello@gmail.com with the rule(s) you submitted for Public Comment. Thank you.