CHARLOTTE — North Carolina voters are considering three proposed constitutional amendments on their ballots dealing with voter photo ID requirements, state income tax rate caps, and local property tax limits.
Each amendment asks voters to decide whether to formally alter the state constitution.
The proposals cover voting procedures by mail, constitutional limits on income tax rates, and state oversight of county and municipal property tax increases.
The first proposed constitutional amendment addresses photo ID requirements for voters. North Carolina voters currently present photo ID for in-person voting following a 2018 constitutional amendment, and mail-in voters must include a photocopy of their ID. The amendment would require a photo ID for all voting, including mail-in ballots.
Supporters said enshrining the requirement in the constitution will prevent it from being repealed in the future, while opponents argue the change is unnecessary because photo ID is already required by law and express concern about potential barriers for military personnel and citizens living overseas.
The second amendment proposes capping the state income tax rate at 3.5%. The state constitution currently limits the maximum income tax rate to 7%, while the state’s current income tax rate is 3.99%. The income tax rate is scheduled to fall to 3.49% next year, 3.24% in 2030, and 2.99% in 2033.
Supporters contend the cap will allow residents to keep more of their earnings and help North Carolina compete with states that have no income tax, whereas opponents worry it will restrict future funding for schools and public services.
The third proposal, a property tax levy limit amendment, would direct the state legislature to cap the amount cities and counties can raise property taxes each year. Supporters argue the limit will protect property owners from sharp tax increases.
Rep. Brian Echevarria, a state representative who supports the amendment, described the burden of rising property taxes on residents.
“If a young family has to increase their escrow every single month, or a renter because of increasing property taxes sees their rent increase, then it’s not going to work out in the long term,” Echevarria said.
Opponents of the property tax amendment contend that the cap restricts local officials from funding essential services. Rep. Laura Budd, a state representative who opposes the amendment, expressed concern about the legislative limit on local governance.
“You are tying the hands of the local governments and the state behind their backs in order to take care of their citizens,” Budd said.
If the property tax amendment passes, state lawmakers will set the maximum amount that each local government can raise property taxes each year.