Voter ID took hold in the North Carolina primary. But challenges remain for the fall election
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — Nearly everyone who voted in person in last month’s North Carolina’s primary showed a qualifying photo identification, a top election official told legislators Wednesday. But it’s unknown how many didn’t bother trying to vote in person or by mail because they lacked an ID, even with options to cast ballots without one.
In all, 1.8 million people voted in the March 5 primary, which marked the first statewide election that the photo ID mandate approved in 2018 by the Republican-controlled General Assembly was actually implemented. Legal challenges — one still pending — had delayed its initiation until smaller municipal elections held last fall.
A state board presentation to a General Assembly elections oversight committee said over 99.9% of in-person voters during early voting or on the primary day showed a valid photo ID. That essentially matches the same percentage among those who voted in person during three tranches of the city elections.