North Carolina
North Carolina
GradeC-
Year2025
TierMid Tier

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Responsive Gov’s Grade TL;DR

The North Carolina General Assembly made no substantive changes to the election code this year, but the state’s progress was undercut by the State Board of Elections. Following its reconfiguration, the Board took active steps to limit ballot access, creating new unnecessary hurdles for North Carolina voters. This administrative pivot toward restriction resulted in a C- rating.

Looking Back

Where North Carolina Started at the Beginning of 2025

  • Automatic Voter Registration: No
  • Online Voter Registration: DMV ID
  • Same-Day Registration: Yes (but not on Election Day)
  • Restoration of Rights: Parole and/or Probation Disenfranchisement
  • Vote by Mail: No-Excuse
  • Electronic Registration Information Center Member: No
  • Early Voting Opportunities: In-Person Absentee
  • ID Requirements: Photo ID Required

Relying on the Cost of Voting Index for North Carolina as of 2024, we considered the state a middle tier state for pre-existing voting policy and compared its 2025 activity against other middle tier states.

How Our Tier Compares

  • COVI (2024): 30th
  • EPI Score (2022): 27th

2025: This Past Year

Legislative Action

  • The North Carolina General Assembly did not pass any significant election-related laws during the 2025 session.

    • Executive Action

  • In 2024 the General Assembly moved the State Board of Elections (NCSBE) away from gubernatorial control to the state auditor’s office, which has not historically had any connection to elections.This past fall, the Board adopted a rule that requires voters whose voter registration record lacks either a driver’s license number or the last four digits of their Social Security number to cast a provisional ballot. The Board also allowed counties to eliminate Sunday early voting.
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