NC H253

Requires all in-person voters to verify their identity by either signing a photo affidavit (affirmed under penalty of Class I felony) or presenting approved photo identification at polling places.

Establishes accepted forms of photo identification including North Carolina driver's licenses, state/federal ID cards, student IDs from NC colleges, U.S. passport, military ID, tribal ID, and voter registration cards.

Applies identification requirement to regular voting, one-stop early voting at county election offices, and allows registered voters to challenge others at polls who fail to provide identification.

Requires counties and the State Board of Elections to educate voters about identification requirements through voter notification cards, websites, polling place notices, voter guides, and public service announcements between 2013 and 2020.

Takes effect January 1, 2014 for all primaries and elections, with public education requirements beginning July 1, 2013.