NC Constitutional Amendments
PENDING Amendment: Right to Work (SB 1082)
The proposed 2026 North Carolina "Right to Work" constitutional amendment is Senate Bill 1082 ("NC Right to Work Amendment"). It passed the Senate on May 20, 2026 (30-16, along party lines), but as of early June 2026, it had not passed the House and was not confirmed for the November 3, 2026, ballot (unlike the Voter ID, property tax limit, and income tax cap amendments).
Ballot Question (if it reaches the ballot)
“[ ] FOR [ ] AGAINST Constitutional amendment to protect the right of North Carolinians to be employed without being forced to join and pay membership dues to a labor union or association.”
Proposed Constitutional Text
It would add a new Section 39 to Article I of the North Carolina Constitution.
“The right to live includes the right to work. The exercise of the right to work must be protected and maintained free from undue restraints and coercion. It is the public policy of the State that the right of persons to work shall not be denied or abridged on account of membership or nonmembership in any labor union or labor organization or association. The General Assembly may prescribe general laws to further define and implement this section.”
Key Context
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Current Law: North Carolina has been a Right-to-Work state since 1947 (statutory law). This law prohibits requiring workers to join a union or pay union dues or fees as a condition of employment. Unions can still represent workers and negotiate contracts, but they cannot force membership or payments from non-members.
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Effect of Amendment: It would elevate the existing policy to constitutional status. This would make it much harder for future legislatures to repeal or weaken Right-to-Work rules, which would require another voter-approved constitutional amendment. It does not ban unions or change current collective bargaining practices.
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Supporters’ View (primarily Republicans and business groups): Protects individual workers’ freedom, prevents coercion, supports economic growth, and provides long-term certainty.
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Opponents’ View (primarily Democrats and labor unions): Unnecessary (since it’s already law), symbolic or political, and harmful to workers by weakening unions’ ability to organize and bargain collectively. Some argue it could lead to lower wages and benefits.
If it passes both chambers by the required three-fifths majority and is approved by a simple majority of voters, it would take effect upon certification of the 2026 election results. It has already passed the Senate.
For the latest status, check the official bill page: SB 1082 on ncleg.gov or Ballotpedia.
PROPOSED Amendment: Property Tax Levy Limit
The proposed 2026 North Carolina Property Tax Levy Limit Amendment (House Bill 1089 / Session Law 2026-5) is confirmed for the statewide ballot on November 3, 2026. It passed both chambers of the General Assembly in May 2026 by the required three-fifths majorities.
Ballot Question
“[ ] FOR [ ] AGAINST Constitutional amendment requiring limits on property tax increases by local governments.”
What the Amendment Would Do
It amends Article V, Section 2(5), of the North Carolina Constitution by adding the following language:
"The General Assembly shall enact general laws limiting the amount by which the levy of taxes on property may increase, which may include exceptions."
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It mandates that the legislature pass laws establishing a “levy limit” (a cap on the growth of total property tax revenue collected by counties, cities, and other local governments).
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It does not specify the exact cap, percentage, formula, or details — those would be set later by the General Assembly through ordinary legislation.
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Exceptions to the limit are explicitly permitted.
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It builds on existing rules that require voter approval for certain local taxes and ensure uniform application statewide.
Context
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North Carolina already caps the property tax rate at $1.50 per $100 of assessed value (most localities are well below this), but rising property values (especially after reappraisals) have led to significant increases in tax bills in many areas.
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Supporters (mostly Republicans): This provides taxpayer relief, especially for seniors and fixed-income homeowners, by curbing automatic revenue growth from rising assessments and encouraging more deliberate budgeting at the local level.
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Opponents (many Democrats, county officials, school advocates): It could constrain funding for schools, roads, public safety, and other services — particularly in growing or rural counties — and shift more control from local governments to the state legislature. Some note that the legislature could already enact levy limits without a constitutional change.
If approved by a simple majority of voters, the amendment takes effect upon certification of the election results. After that, the General Assembly would need to pass implementing legislation specifying the limits.
For the full official text, see HB 1089 on ncleg.gov or the enacted Session Law. Ballotpedia also maintains a dedicated page tracking this measure.
PROPOSED Amendment: Voter ID (SB 921)
The 2026 proposed North Carolina Require Voter Identification Amendment (Senate Bill 921 / Session Law 2024-58) is a legislatively referred constitutional amendment on the November 3, 2026, statewide ballot. It passed both chambers of the General Assembly in late 2024 with the required three-fifths majority.
Ballot Question
“[ ] FOR [ ] AGAINST Constitutional amendment to require all voters, not just those presenting to vote in person, to present photo identification before voting.”
What the Amendment Would Do
It amends Article VI, Sections 2 and 3 of the North Carolina Constitution by broadening the existing photo ID requirement (from the 2018 amendment).
Key Proposed Changes (new or revised language highlighted for clarity):
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Section 2(4): Changes from applying only to "voting in person" to a broader requirement for all voters.
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Section 3(2): Similarly broadens the language to cover registration and all forms of voting.
The full effect: Requires photo identification for every voter, regardless of voting method (in-person, mail-in absentee, etc.). The General Assembly would still enact (or update) implementing laws detailing acceptable IDs, processes for mail ballots (e.g., submitting a copy of photo ID), exceptions, and procedures.
Comparison to 2018 Amendment
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2018: Required photo ID only for in-person voting. It passed with ~55.5% support and led to implementing laws (after court battles).
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2026 Proposal: Extends the mandate to all voting methods, closing what supporters see as a gap for mail/absentee ballots.
Current Context (as of 2026)
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In-person voters already need photo ID under state law.
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Mail/absentee voters generally must include a photocopy of ID (or alternatives like driver's license number/SSN last four digits in some cases).
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If approved by a simple majority of voters, the amendment takes effect upon certification of the election results.
Perspectives
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Supporters (mostly Republicans): Calls it a commonsense security measure to ensure consistency across all voting methods and prevent fraud.
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Opponents (mostly Democrats and groups like Democracy NC): Argue it could burden mail voters (e.g., students, elderly, disabled) and create unnecessary barriers.
For the official bill text and details, see SL 2024-58 on ncleg.gov or Ballotpedia’s page on the amendment. The North Carolina State Board of Elections (ncsbe.gov) will have voter resources closer to the election.
PENDING Amendment: Right to Farm/Forestry
The proposed 2026 North Carolina "Right to Farm and Forestry" constitutional amendment is Senate Bill 1081 ("Constitutional Right to Farm"). It is a legislatively referred amendment that has advanced through a Senate committee but has not yet passed both chambers of the General Assembly (as of the latest available information in June 2026). It is not confirmed for the November 3, 2026, ballot, unlike the Voter ID, property tax limit, and income tax cap amendments.
Ballot Question (if it reaches the ballot)
“[ ] FOR [ ] AGAINST Constitutional amendment protecting the right of the people to engage in farming and forestry.”
What the Amendment Would Do
It would add a new Section 39 to Article I of the North Carolina Constitution:
“The right of the people to engage in the cultivation of crops, the raising of livestock and poultry, the production of dairy and apiary products, the harvesting of timber, and other practices for the production of agricultural and forestry commodities is a valued and essential part of the State’s heritage and shall be forever preserved for the public good, subject only to laws enacted by the General Assembly and rules adopted pursuant to authority granted by the General Assembly.”
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It declares farming and forestry activities a protected right rooted in the state’s heritage.
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It emphasizes that regulation remains exclusively within the state legislature (not local governments, courts through nuisance lawsuits, or other entities unless authorized by the General Assembly).
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It does not confer absolute immunity from regulation—existing laws, environmental rules, zoning (where permitted), and future legislation would still apply.
Context and Purpose
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North Carolina already has a statutory “Right to Farm” law (dating back to 1979, with updates) that limits nuisance lawsuits against agricultural operations.
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Supporters (primarily Republicans and agricultural groups) say this elevates the policy to constitutional status, protecting the state’s large ag and forestry industry (one of NC’s top economic sectors) from future local restrictions, urban sprawl conflicts, or activist lawsuits.
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Critics (including some environmental and animal welfare groups) argue that it could make it harder to regulate large-scale operations (e.g., CAFOs and poultry farms) on issues such as water quality, odor, or animal welfare, and view it as largely symbolic because the legislature already controls regulation.
If approved by both chambers with the required three-fifths majority and then by a simple majority of voters, it would take effect upon certification of the 2026 election results.
For the latest status, check the official bill page: SB 1081 on ncleg.gov. It remains one of several additional amendments still working through the legislature.
PROPOSED Amendment: Income Tax Rate Cap
The proposed 2026 North Carolina Income Tax Rate Cap Amendment (Senate Bill 1080, "Lower Taxes for All NC") is a legislatively referred constitutional amendment on the statewide ballot on November 3, 2026. It passed both chambers of the General Assembly in May 2026.
Ballot Question
“[ ] FOR [ ] AGAINST Constitutional amendment to reduce the maximum allowable state income tax rate from 7% to 3.5%.”
What the Amendment Would Do
It amends Article V, Section 2(6) of the North Carolina Constitution. The current text (from the 2018 amendment) reads:
“The rate of tax on incomes shall not in any case exceed seven percent...” The proposed change replaces it with:
“The rate of tax on incomes shall not in any case exceed three and one-half percent (3.5%)..., and there shall be allowed personal exemptions and deductions so that only net incomes are taxed.”
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It lowers the constitutional maximum (cap) on the state income tax rate from 7% to 3.5% for both individual and corporate income taxes.
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It does not change the current tax rate (3.99% flat rate as of 2026).
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The cap would take effect for taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2027.
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Any future increase above 3.5% would require another constitutional amendment (i.e., voter approval).
Context and Background
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2018 Precedent: Voters approved an amendment lowering the cap from 10% to 7% (passed with ~57% support).
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Current & Planned Rates: As part of a 2026 budget deal, the legislature is phasing down the actual rate (e.g., to 3.49% in 2027–2029, with further scheduled reductions). This amendment would constitutionally lock in a ceiling just above the planned cuts.
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Supporters’ View (mostly Republicans): Provides long-term tax certainty, prevents future tax hikes, supports economic growth, and protects taxpayers.
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Opponents’ View (mostly Democrats and some fiscal analysts): It could limit future revenue for schools, infrastructure, and services (potentially restricting billions in potential revenue) and mainly benefits higher earners and corporations. Critics call it overly restrictive and argue that it does not require a constitutional change.
If approved by a simple majority of voters, the amendment takes effect upon certification of the results.
For the official text, see SB 1080 on ncleg.gov or on Ballotpedia’s detailed page. For ballot details, check the North Carolina State Board of Elections closer to the election.