Voter ID: A Quick Guide for Duke Students

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This story has been updated with new information about how students can get a physical Duke ID.

For all your voter registration and election questions, visit vote.duke.edu

North Carolina voters are required to show physical photo identification when voting in person or by absentee ballot. The DukeCard Office, in partnership with Duke Votes, is assisting students with obtaining a state-approved physical identification card if they need one to vote in the upcoming November Election. Receiving a DukeCard for voting is quick and easy for students!

Duke Student Voter ID.
Duke Student Voter ID.

What Duke IDs Work for Students?

Duke University’s physical DukeCard and Duke Student Voter ID Card are approved by the NC State Board of Elections as a valid form of identification for students who are eligible to vote. The mobile DukeCard has not been approved as a valid form of photo identification. Older physical DukeCards in circulation without an expiration date can still be used as an acceptable form of ID for voting. DukeCards that are printed beginning in August 2024 will be an ID-only version with an expiration date and will not contain funds or access to facilities. These cards cannot be used in place of the Mobile DukeCard.

DukeCard approved for voting
DukeCard approved for voting

How Can Students Get a Physical Duke ID?

Identification cards will be provided to students for free. First-year students received a physical DukeCard on move-in day. Sophomore students received an email from Student Affairs with information on how to pick up their card. Please note that pickup instructions have changed. For any Sophomores needing to pick up a physical DukeCard for voting, we’ve made it easier! During early voting, you can pick up your card at the Wilder Building (next to Karsh) on weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. After early voting ends before Election Day, any remaining cards will be available at the DukeCard Office.

For any other students needing a physical DukeCard to use as a photo ID to vote (including Graduate and Professional Students), you can get one printed either at the Wilder Building during early voting or at the DukeCard Office on weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. No appointment is necessary. Picking up a card will take less than five minutes. Students are required to show a government-issued ID when picking up their card.

Map of walk from the library to Duke Card office

What Other IDs Work?

The physical DukeCard and Duke Student Voter ID Card are offered in addition to other types of identification permitted by state law for use by voters. Acceptable forms of ID include any of the following:

Any of the following, regardless of whether the ID contains an expiration or issuance date:

  • Military or veterans ID card issued by the U.S. government
  • Tribal enrollment card issued by a tribe recognized by the State or federal government
  • ID card issued by an agency of the U.S. government or the State of North Carolina for a public assistance program

More information on North Carolina’s voter photo ID requirement can be found on this infosheet or the NC State Board of Elections website.

The mobile DukeCard has not been approved by the NC State Board of Elections. Although UNC’s mobile ID card was initially approved, the NC Court of Appeals recently struck down the use of the mobile card for the upcoming election. Duke will continue to work with state leaders to explore the use of mobile ID cards in future elections.