Student Democracy Coalition

During the 2018 election, North Carolina voters approved the North Carolina Voter ID amendment to the State constitution. This created a constitutional requirement that voters present a photo ID to vote in person.

On December 6^th 2018, the North Carolina GA voted to approve Senate Bill 824 which designated which forms of voter ID would be accepted at polls.

*PLEASE NOTE: At this time, WCU does not meet the requirements to have their University Student ID considered valid for the purposes of voting. WCU is continuting to work closely with the UNC System Office to coordinate efforts.

Under SB824, the following forms of identification are valid for voting in subsequent elections.

Any of the following that is valid and unexpired, or has been expired for one year or less:

1. A North Carolina driver’s license.
2. A special identification card for nonoperators issued under G.S.20-37.7 or other form of non-temporary identification issued by the Division of Motor Vehicles of the Department of Transportation.
3. A United States passport.
4. A North Carolina voter photo identification card of the registered voter issued pursuant to G.S.163A-869.1.
5. A tribal enrollment card issued by a State or federally recognized tribe.
6. A student identification card 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), provided that card is issued in accordance with G.S.163A-1145.2. *As noted above, the CatCard is not valid for voting. If you do not have another valid form of photo ID to vote, please see the information below on how you can obtain a valid photo ID card.
7. An employee identification card issued by a state or local government entity, including a charter school, provided that card is issued in accordance with G.S.163A-1145.3. *As noted above, the CatCard is not valid for voting. If you do not have another valid form of photo ID to vote, please see the information below on how you can obtain a valid photo ID card.
8. A driver's license or special identification card for nonoperators issued by another state, the District of Columbia, or a territory or commonwealth of the United States, but only if the voter's voter registration was within 90 days of the election.

Any of the following, regardless of whether the identification contains a printed expiration or issuance date:

1. A military identification card issued by the United States government.
2. A Veterans Identification Card issued by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs for use at Veterans Administration medical facilities.

Any expired form of identification allowed in this subsection presented by a registered voter having attained the age of 65 years at the time of presentation at the voting place, provided that the identification was unexpired on the registered voter's sixty-fifth birthday.

It should be noted, that Reasonable Impediment(s) to obtaining a voter ID may be made: If a registered voter does not produce an acceptable form of photograph identification because the registered voter suffers from a reasonable impediment that prevents the registered voter from presenting photograph identification, the registered voter may complete an affidavit under the penalty of perjury at the voting place and affirm that the registered voter: (i) is the same individual who personally appears at the voting place; (ii) will cast the provisional ballot while voting in person; and (iii) suffers from a reasonable impediment that prevents the registered voter from presenting photograph identification. The registered voter also shall complete a reasonable impediment declaration form... unless otherwise prohibited by state or federal law. Upon completion of the affidavit, the registered voter may cast a provisional ballot.

The full copy of SB824 legislation can be viewed here: https://www.ncleg.gov/Sessions/2017/Bills/Senate/PDF/S824v7.pdf

How you can obtain a photo ID in order to vote:

If you do not have access to any of the above, approved forms of voter ID, one can be obtained by:

• Requesting a voter ID card free of charge, in person at the county board of elections in the county where the voter is registered to vote.

Information will be updated on a continual basis (see current State Board of Elections Rules, which are subject to change through Public Comment Period March 15, 2019).

WCU’s Center for Community Engagement and Service Learning and the Student Democracy Coalition are working to provide transportation to the Jackson County Board of Elections on a weekly basis starting in fall 2019, information on registration and voter ID, and other opportunities/resources in order to continue to support our students’ civic engagement and development. Please continue to watch this space for updated information. 

First Week of Class 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. outside the UC Mailroom

Mondays during the semester 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. outside the UC Mailroom

Wednesdays during the semester 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. outside the UC Mailroom

Monday through Friday during the semester 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Belk 273

• Not sure if you are registered in the state of North Carolina or Jackson County? Check HERE
• If you are NOT registered to vote and you live in Jackson County (including on-campus residence halls) you will be able to register and vote on campus at the same time during the dates of early voting – it is called same day voter registration and it ROCKS! If you live on campus, bring yourself and the last four of your social security number and you can efficiently same-day register. If you live OFF-CAMPUS, you will need to check HERE for more information.
• More information about how to be best prepared for same-day voter registration: Check HERE
• If you live on campus your mailing address is your 245 Memorial Drive + suite box number, where you receive your mail. Your residential address will be the physical address of your dorm. These addresses, also known as "911 addresses," can be found HERE.

If you have registered previously, but have since moved or changed dorms, it is important to update your address. If you have changed counties, you will need to completely re-register. If you have moved, but still reside in the same county, you can either re-register to update your address, or you can call the local Board of Elections and they will be able to assist you.

If you live off campus, for your residential address you can put your current address in Jackson County or your parent’s address to register back in your parent’s home county. Your mailing address is wherever you receive your mail. Even if you mark unaffiliated, it is important to choose a political affiliation.

If you are not registered in Jackson County – you cannot vote at WCU’s on-campus polling place.

WCU Programs (Democracy 100%)

August 16 – Voter ID Requirements Workshop, UC Raleigh Room, 6–7 p.m.

September 12 – Debate Watch Party, UC Illusions, 8:00 p.m. to Midnight

September 17 – Voter Registration Workshop, UC Catamount Room, 7:30 p.m.

September 24 – National voter Registration Day, UC Lawn, 11:00 a.m.

October 3 – Opiod & Addiction Crisis Town Hall, UC Grandroom, 8:15 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

October 8 – Democracy100% Monumental Conversations, UC Multipurpose Room, 7:00 p.m.

TBA – October Debate Watch Party

November 4 – Democracy100% Immigration Policy, UC Theater, 7:00 p.m.

TBA – November Debate Watch Party

Absentee Ballot Information

Remember, if you are NOT registered to vote and you live in Jackson County (including on-campus residence halls) you will be able to register and vote on campus at the same time during the dates of early voting – it is called same day voter registration and it ROCKS!

* While the ON-CAMPUS POLLING PLACE is open, the UC will be a NO CAMPAIGN ZONE.

As the University Center is home to an early voting site, it is important that all people who enter adhere to this rules and expectations:

• No campaigning within 25 ft. of the UC;
• No partisan literature in the UC;
• No partisan posters or events in the UC;
• No handing out partisan pamphlets;
• No partisan events/posters inside the UC;
• No going table-to-table encouraging people to vote for a particular candidate within the UC.