§ 163-166.17. Approval of student identification cards for voting identification.

761 words·~3 min read·/nc/chapter-163/163-166-17

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(a)The State Board shall approve the use of student identification cards issued by a constituent institution of The University of North Carolina, a community college, as defined in G.S. 115D-2(2), or eligible private postsecondary institution as defined in G.S. 116-280(3) for voting identification under G.S. 163-166.16 if the following criteria are met:

(1)The chancellor, president, or registrar of the university or college submits documentation satisfactory to the State Board that the following have been met and will not knowingly be violated with regard to student identification cards issued during the approval period:

a. The identification cards that are issued by the university or college contain photographs of students obtained by the university or college or its agents or contractors, provided the photograph obtained

(i)is a frontal image that includes the student's face and

(ii)represents a clear, accurate likeness of the student to whom the identification card is issued. If the photograph is one not produced by the university or college or its agents, the university or college shall certify in detail the process used by the university or college to ensure the photograph is that of the student to whom the identification card is issued and shall certify that the process is designed to confirm the identity of the student to whom the identification card is issued.

b. The identification cards are issued after an enrollment or other process that includes one or more methods of confirming the identity of the student using information that may include, but are not limited to, the social security number, citizenship status, and birthdate of the student.

c. Access to the equipment for producing the identification cards is restricted through security measures.

d. Misuse of the equipment for producing the identification cards would be grounds for student discipline or termination of an employee.

e. University or college officials would report any misuse of student identification card equipment they have knowledge of to law enforcement if G.S. 163-82.8(19) was potentially violated.

f. The cards issued by the university or college on or after January 1, 2021, contain a date of expiration.

g. The university or college will provide copies of student identification cards to the State Board to assist with training purposes.

h. The college or university will provide to students who are issued the student identification card a copy of, or an electronic link to, a document developed by the State Board that details the requirements related to identification for voting; the requirements to vote absentee, early, or on election day; a description of voting by provisional ballot; and the availability of a free North Carolina voter photo identification card pursuant to G.S. 163-82.8A to rural, military, veteran, elderly, underserved, minority, or other communities as determined by local needs; and the requirements of North Carolina residency to vote, including applicable intent requirements of North Carolina law, and the penalty for voting in multiple states.

(2)The university or college complies with any other reasonable security measures determined by the State Board to be necessary for the protection and security of the student identification process.

(b)The State Board shall establish a schedule for such submissions and approvals. The State Board shall permit a university or college with no changes to the prior election cycle's approval to submit a statement indicating no changes have been made by the university or college. When the State Board approves for use the student identification cards issued by a constituent institution of The University of North Carolina, a community college, as defined in G.S. 115D-2(2), or eligible private postsecondary institution as defined in G.S. 116-280(3), for voting identification purposes under G.S. 163-166.16, such approval shall be valid for the period from January 1 of an odd-numbered year through December 31 of the next even-numbered year.

(c)The State Board shall produce a list of participating universities and colleges every two years. The list shall be published on the State Board's website and distributed to every county board of elections. The State Board shall publish sample student identification cards for each participating university and college.

(d)If a participating college or university with a student identification card approved for use by the State Board as provided in subsection

(b)of this section changes the design of the student identification card, that college or university shall provide copies of the new design of the student identification cards to the State Board to assist with training purposes. (2018-144, s. 1.2(b); 2018-146, s. 3.1(a); 2019-22, s. 2; 2025-25, s. 29(5).)