1. How to Get ID to Vote (and Other Official Documents)
January 25, 2014

2. Why Are We Talking About ID?
New law says a state-approved photo ID is required to vote in person, starting in 2016

3. Why Now?
Starting in 2014, poll workers will ask in-person voters if they have one of the required IDs. You don’t need to answer or show an ID in order to vote.
The State Board of Elections will help those without an ID get one for free
Official NC documents needed to get an ID will also be available to registered voters for free

4. Reaching voters without id

5. Who Doesn’t Have an ID?
We can’t be sure how many people don’t have an acceptable government IDs, but research shows they are most likely to be
poor
elderly
women
non-college youth
people of color

6. IDEAS FOR REACHING VOTERS

7. Voter ID Outreach: Part of a Whole
Because the majority of voters you encounter will already have an acceptable form of ID, outreach to help “get people voter IDs” should only be done with education about other voting law changes.
This encourages a conversation about voting without frightening people.

8. Strategy Suggestions: Registration
Conduct voter registration drives in locations where you’re likely to meet up with people from affected communities
Seniors
People of color
Non-college youth
Poor people
Renters

9. Strategy Suggestions: Registration
When you’re registering someone to vote, ask, “Do you have a driver’s license or a state ID?”
Explain to voters that a new law says they will need a government photo ID for the next presidential election.
Offer to help voters who don’t have an acceptable form of ID or who say that they know someone who might have problems.

10. Strategy Suggestions: Registration
Try partnering with local nonprofits that serve communities likely to be affected.
Offer to register their clients and provide educational materials about the voting law changes.
Include questions and information about IDs and the voting law changes in your conversations while registering voters.

11. Strategy Suggestion: Phone Calls
Call voters who potentially lack proper photo ID. We can provide lists and scripts!
Call the members of your church or civic organization and make sure they have the proper photo ID.

12. Strategy Suggestion: Transportation
Drive voters who need to get the proper ID to the DMV office. Wait with them and take notes about the process (length of time, the way employees treat them, any confusion about what documents are acceptable).
Report any problems back to Democracy NC at OUR-VOTE.

13. Who Doesn’t Need a Photo ID?
Voters who qualify for curbside voting (must have difficulty standing in line or reaching the polling place due to age or physical disability).
Voters who object to having a photo taken for religious reasons (must sign declaration before the election).
Voters who vote by mail – “absentee voting”
Note: You will still have to show another kind of ID document.

14. How to get a free ID for voting

15. What Kind of ID Will I Need?
NC driver’s license
NC identification card
US passport
US military ID
Veteran’s benefits card
Tribal enrollment card
No student IDs accepted

16. Expiration Date
The ID must be current (not expired, revoked, or suspended) – with an exception for seniors.
Military, veteran’s, or tribal IDs without an expiration date are good up to 8 years after a date showing when issued.

17. Seniors and Recent Transplants
If any acceptable ID was current when the voter turned 70, it’s good for life.
Out-of-state licenses may be used for 90 days after you register to vote in NC.

18. Name and Address
The name on your ID doesn’t need to exactly match the name on your voter registration record, but be sure the names resemble each other. Your name on the voter registration roll can be easily changed; call your county elections board.
The address on the ID doesn’t matter; the photo ID proves your identity, not your address.

19. Free IDs for Voting
If you are a registered or an eligible voter without a current, acceptable photo ID, you can get a free ID from the DMV (normally $10)
You’ll need to sign a sworn statement that you don’t have any of the acceptable IDs. Lying is a Class 1 felony.
You can go to a DMV office in any county to apply for the no-fee ID.

20. What Documents Do I Need?
2 official documents with your full legal name; at least one must have your date of birth.
1 document with your residential address if neither identity document has your address.
A valid Social Security number. If DMV can’t verify your SSN, you need a document with it, like one of the identity docs.
If you have trouble getting 2 documents, bring what you have to the DMV.

21. Acceptable Documents: Name & DOB - 1
ID or driver’s license from another state
Social Security card
Certified birth certificate
Certified marriage certificate
W-2 or 1099
Unexpired passport
Unexpired military ID, DD-2, DD-214, military dependent card, or veteran’s card
- continued next slide

22. Acceptable Documents: Name & DOB - 2
US court document (divorce, adoption, child support, naturalization, change of name or gender, arrest, etc.)
NC school record (transcript or registration signed by school official; GED or diploma)
Motor vehicle record from NC or another state
Limited driving privilege that is less than 1 year expired (related to a DWI conviction)

23. Acceptable Documents: NC Residency - 1
Any government document (state, county, city, or federal)
Car title or registration
Voter registration card
Military orders/documents
Utility or cable bill
Lease or mortgage statement

24. Acceptable Documents: NC Residency - 2
Property or income tax statement
Preprinted financial statement
School records
Car insurance policy
Letter from homeless shelter
If you don’t have a document to prove your NC residency, sign an affidavit at the DMV

25. How to get Free Marriage & Birth Certificates for voting

26. Free Birth & Marriage Certificates for Voting
If you don’t have an acceptable photo ID, you can get a free certified copy of a NC birth or marriage certificate from your county Register of Deeds or the NC Office of Vital Records.
You may get 1 free document; not both.
To get the document free, you must sign a sworn statement saying you don’t have any of the acceptable IDs. Lying is a Class 1 felony.

27. How Do I Get One? Apply in person at the NC Vital Records Office
Apply by mail through the NC Vital Records Office
Apply in person at your county Register of Deeds

28. NC Vital Records Office
They have birth and marriage certificates for every county
Birth certificates from 1913 on
Marriage certificates from 1962 on
You can apply by mail (just enclose the documents)
They allow “near family members” to apply
They’re often more flexible than county Registers of Deeds

29. Who’s a “Near Family Member”?
Current spouse
Siblings
Children, step-children, or grandchildren
Parents, step-parents, or grandparents

30. County Registers of Deeds
Procedures vary from county to county
To get one of the free documents for voting, you must go in person
If born before 1971, go to the Register of Deeds in the county where you were born
If born after 1971, you should be able to go to any Register of Deeds in the state (but call the office to double check)

31. County Registers of Deeds
To get a free marriage certificate, you must go in person to the Register of Deeds in the county that issued your marriage license.
If you have trouble with your local Register of Deeds, try the NC Vital Records Office instead.

32. Who Can Request It?
NC Vital Records Office will allow a free birth or marriage certificate for voting to be requested by the voter, a near family member, or an authorized agent, attorney, or legal representative
County Registers of Deeds may refuse to provide the free certificates to anyone but the voter him or herself

33. What Documents Will I Need?
Required documents will vary depending on whether you request records through the state (Vital Records) or the county (Register of Deeds)
Contact your local Register of Deeds to find out what documents they will accept
Contact NC Vital Records Office to find out what documents they will accept

34. Proof of Voter Registration
You’ll also need to provide proof of voter registration
This can be your voter registration card, your online profile from the State Board of Elections website, or other proof from the county or State Board of Elections
Local Registers of Deeds may have a preference; contact them to find out

35. What if I Wasn’t Born in NC?
The rules and requirements around getting vital records (birth and marriage certificates) vary from state to state.
This website will give you the contact information for the vital records office in the state where you were born (or married):

36. No ID? Vote Absentee!
If the process is too difficult or the voter wants another option, they can vote by mail using an absentee ballot.
Any registered voter may vote by mail.
Applications for a mail-in absentee ballot are on websites of boards of elections. Follow all the rules carefully.

37. For More Information
NC Vital Records Office, vitalrecords.nc.gov, (919)
Find most Register of Deeds offices on the web using a search engine
NC State Board of Elections, (866)

38. Questions? Problems?
Contact Democracy North Carolina and we’ll do our best to help you out! (919) or toll free (888) OUR-VOTE