What to know about NC’s 3 ballot amendments

NORTH CAROLINA — North Carolina voters will decide three proposed constitutional amendments on the Nov. 3 ballot, dealing with property taxes, the state income-tax cap and voter photo ID.

One amendment would require the General Assembly to enact limits on how much local governments can increase property-tax levies.

The amendment itself does not set a specific cap or formula. It would give lawmakers the authority to establish those limits through state law, with possible exceptions, according to the Statesville Record and Landmark.

Supporters say limits could provide greater predictability for property owners. Opponents, including local government officials and some lawmakers, have raised concerns about how limits could affect counties’ and cities’ ability to pay for services.

A second amendment would lower the maximum state income-tax rate allowed under the North Carolina Constitution from 7% to 3.5%.

North Carolina’s current individual income-tax rate is 3.99% for 2026. State law already schedules that rate to fall to 3.49% in 2027, 3.24% in 2030, and 2.99% beginning in 2033. The constitutional amendment would establish a 3.5% maximum.

Supporters say the amendment would place a lower limit on how much the state could tax income. Opponents have raised concerns about limiting future lawmakers’ ability to adjust tax rates and state revenue.

The third amendment would expand the state Constitution’s photo ID requirement to all voters, including people voting by mail.

The ballot language asks whether the Constitution should require “all voters, not just those presenting to vote in person,” to present photo identification before voting.

North Carolina already has photo ID requirements and an exception process for absentee-by-mail voters under state law. The proposed amendment would put the broader requirement into the state Constitution.

Each amendment requires a simple majority of votes cast on that referendum to become part of the state Constitution. The governor does not have veto authority over constitutional amendments proposed by the General Assembly.

The three questions will appear on the Nov. 3, 2026, statewide general election ballot.

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