North Carolina voters to decide on three constitutional changes affecting taxes and ID

Seventy-one percent of North Carolina respondents favor the third proposed constitutional amendment on Tuesday's ballot, a measure that would limit how much local governments can raise property taxes year over year. This figure represents the highest level of public support among the three questions appearing on ballots statewide.

Voters will also decide on a proposal to cap the state income tax rate at 3.5 percent. North Carolina currently levies a flat tax of 3.99 percent, with scheduled reductions planned for 2027. A September poll from Elon University found that 68 percent of respondents support this amendment, while 18 percent oppose it. Proponents argue the cap prevents future leaders from increasing taxes on working families. Critics warn the restriction could limit revenue for public schools, healthcare, and infrastructure during economic downturns.

The first amendment addresses voting access by extending constitutional photo ID requirements to absentee mail ballots. North Carolina voters approved in-person photo ID rules in 2018, a measure that faced legal challenges until the state Supreme Court reversed an earlier ruling in 2023. The new proposal would lock the ID requirement into the constitution for both in-person and mail voting. Jason Husser, director of the Elon University Poll, noted that the measure locks the requirement into the state constitution. A September survey showed 65 percent of respondents in favor of the ID expansion and 24 percent opposed. The Charlotte Black Political Caucus and other opposition groups are urging voters to reject the proposal.

Experts caution that the tax amendments do not guarantee immediate financial changes for voters. Husser stated that the measures are not really changing anything after Election Day. Instead, they make it difficult to reverse the current status quo. The income tax amendment does not immediately lower state income taxes, and the property tax amendment does not immediately lower property taxes.

Early voting in North Carolina concludes Saturday at 3 p.m. Election Day polls open statewide at 6:30 a.m. and close at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday. Voters must present an acceptable photo ID at the polls or complete an ID Exception Form. The three amendments represent long-term policy shifts rather than immediate pocketbook relief, according to political experts.