NC S721

Requires all voters to present valid photo identification at polls or when voting absentee, with acceptable forms including driver's licenses, state ID cards, U.S. passports, military IDs, tribal IDs, and new North Carolina voter ID cards.

Establishes North Carolina voter identification cards issued free by county boards of elections for registered voters without other valid photo ID, with eligibility restricted to those without current driver's licenses or special ID cards.

Creates provisional ballot option for voters unable or unwilling to provide photo ID, with ballots counted if voter later provides valid ID and affidavit, or affidavit alone if voter has sincere religious objection to being photographed.

Modifies restoration of voting rights for felony convicts to require five-year waiting period followed by approval from county board of elections, contingent on no new felony charges, no election law violations, and affidavits from two registered voters attesting to moral character.

Reduces early voting period from 10 days to 6 days (not including Sunday), beginning the second Tuesday before election and ending the last Thursday, while maintaining Saturday voting option until 1:00 P.M. (may extend to 5:00 P.M.).