When North Carolina voters head to the polls on Tuesday, Nov. 3, they'll find three proposed changes to the state constitution on the ballot along with their local races. Each one is a simple For or Against question. Polls are open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., and anyone in line at their assigned polling place at 7:30 p.m. can still vote, according to the N.C. State Board of Elections.

Below is what each amendment would do, based on the official summaries adopted Aug. 20 by the General Assembly's nonpartisan Legislative Services Office.

1. Require photo ID for all voters

On the ballot: "Constitutional amendment to require all voters, not just those presenting to vote in person, to present photo identification before voting." The official summary says it would require photo ID for voters in all North Carolina elections. As the News & Observer explains, this largely writes current practice into the constitution: mail-in voters already have to include a copy of their ID along with two witnesses, and voters without an ID can still fill out an exception form and cast a provisional ballot.

2. Cap the state income tax at 3.5%

On the ballot: "Constitutional amendment to keep the State income tax rate from being raised higher than three and one-half percent (3.5%)." Per the official summary, it would lower the constitutional ceiling on the state income tax from 7% to 3.5%, starting Jan. 1, 2027. The N&O notes the rate is 3.99% this year and is already scheduled to drop to 3.49% in 2027, so the amendment mainly limits how high future legislatures could raise it.

3. Limit local property tax increases

On the ballot: "Constitutional amendment requiring limits on property tax increases by local governments." It would direct the General Assembly to set limits on how much counties and towns can raise property taxes. The amendment itself names no cap or formula, so lawmakers would decide those details later, as WCNC and The Waxhaws Dispatch have reported. It would not, on its own, lower anyone's current tax bill.

This one has drawn the most local debate:

  • Mecklenburg County Commissioner Mark Jerrell told WCNC, "I think if it's approved, it really ties the hands of local government."
  • Union County commissioners voted unanimously in April to oppose this kind of statewide cap, calling it a "one-size-fits-all" limit, according to the Dispatch and the county's own announcement.
  • Supporters, including the conservative John Locke Foundation, say it answers homeowners who were hit with surprise property tax bills after revaluations. Critics, including the N.C. Budget and Tax Center, say local governments would have to lean on other fees and taxes or cut services, the Dispatch reported.
  • An Elon University poll in August found 72% of likely voters in favor, per the Dispatch.

Before you go

For mail ballot deadlines and other Election Day basics, see our early voting and Election Day guide, or browse more South Charlotte neighborhood news.

Sources: NCGA Legislative Services Office official summaries, N.C. State Board of Elections, News & Observer, WCNC, The Waxhaws Dispatch, Union County, S.C. Election Commission