North Carolina voters approved all three constitutional amendments on the Nov. 3 ballot, according to unofficial State Board of Elections results checked Nov. 5.
The changes concern photo identification for voting, the maximum state income tax rate and limits on local property tax levies. All 2,626 precincts were reporting, but the results remain unofficial pending certification.
How North Carolina voted
The photo ID amendment received 2,463,276 votes for (59.60%) and 1,669,764 against (40.40%). It extends the constitution’s identification requirement to all voters, including those voting by mail.
The 3.5% income tax cap amendment received 2,559,740 votes for (61.92%) and 1,574,257 against (38.08%).
The property tax levy amendment received 2,492,891 votes for (60.42%) and 1,632,769 against (39.58%). The statewide results page listed its last county submission at 11:21 a.m. Nov. 5.
What the tax measures do
The income tax measure reduces the constitutional maximum rate from 7% to 3.5% for both personal and corporate income, for taxable years beginning Jan. 1, 2027, according to the General Assembly’s legislative summary. It establishes a ceiling on rates lawmakers can set.
The property tax amendment directs the General Assembly to enact limits on increases in authorized local property tax levies and allows exceptions to those limits. It does not itself specify a percentage cap. The legislative summary says that amendment takes effect upon certification of the referendum results.
For Charlotte and Mecklenburg County, the details of the implementing legislation will determine how the limits affect revenue for local services.
Different outcomes for candidates and amendments
The amendments passed on the same night Democrats regained the state House, WBT reported.
Elon University poll director Jason Husser told Queen City News that Democrats’ gains could give them more influence over how the property tax limits are implemented. Gov. Josh Stein criticized the amendments and argued that their short ballot descriptions gave voters too little information, the station reported.
