Overview of Three Proposed NC Constitutional Amendments

By the Editorial Team · Friday, October 23, 2026

Voters will decide on three constitutional amendments involving election ID requirements, an income tax rate cap, and limits on local property tax increases. These measures aim to tighten voting identification rules, reduce the maximum state income tax rate from 7% to 3.5%, and mandate legislative limits on property tax growth, potentially impacting future tax policies and election procedures.

AT A GLANCE

Three questions, three different kinds of change

Two common points of confusion run through this ballot. First, only one amendment names a percentage - the income tax cap. Second, none of the three changes your tax bill or your voting routine overnight on its own; read the “immediate effect” note on each page.

Amendment

Ballot wording (exact)

In one line

1. Photo ID for all voters

Senate Bill 921

“Constitutional amendment to require all voters, not just those presenting to vote in person, to present photo identification before voting.”

Extends the constitution’s photo ID rule from in-person voting to every method, including by mail.

2. Income tax cap

Senate Bill 1080

“Constitutional amendment to keep the State income tax rate from being raised higher than three and one-half percent (3.5%).”

Lowers the constitutional ceiling from 7% to 3.5%. A ceiling, not the rate itself.

3. Property tax levy limit

House Bill 1089

“Constitutional amendment requiring limits on property tax increases by local governments.”

Requires the legislature to enact limits on growth in total local property tax collections. Sets no percentage.

How to read the next three pages

For each amendment you will find: (1) the exact ballot wording, (2) what the constitution and state law say today, (3) what FOR and AGAINST do, (4) arguments supporters make and arguments critics make - in neutral language, and (5) a plain note on the immediate effect, so a headline claim can be checked against the text.

Arguments are summarized as their makers present them. Including an argument is not a finding that it is correct; where a number depends on a future law - most clearly on property taxes - the guide says so.

A note on who placed these on the ballot

The General Assembly placed all three amendments on the ballot after the constitutionally required three-fifths vote in each chamber. Reporting on those votes describes them as largely along party lines, with Republicans mostly in support and Democrats mostly opposed. Sponsorship and vote counts do not decide how any individual voter should vote - each measure stands or falls on its own text and effects.

This is an opinion piece and reflects the views of its author, not a news report. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.