This guide explains what the official amendment texts say and identifies the position submitted by Rep. Rodney Pierce. The amendment descriptions and ballot language are linked to official state records so voters can review the source documents for themselves.
Editorial note: The policy positions in this guide were submitted by Rep. Rodney Pierce. They are labeled as his stated positions. The official records establish what each amendment would change; they do not independently establish the policy arguments for or against it.
Amendment 1 · S.L. 2024-58
Photo ID for All Voters
What the amendment would do
It would change the Constitution to require all voters—not only those presenting to vote in person—to present photo identification before voting. The amendment says the General Assembly may enact laws governing the identification requirements, including possible exceptions.
“Constitutional amendment to require all voters, not just those presenting to vote in person, to present photo identification before voting.”
What voters should understand
North Carolina already has a statutory photo-ID requirement and exception procedures. The proposed change would place the broader requirement in the Constitution. The amendment itself does not list every exception or accommodation.
Rep. Pierce’s position Vote against. He argues that election security and meaningful access to the ballot should go together.
Read the official amendment text →
Amendment 2 · S.L. 2026-4
Maximum Income-Tax Rate of 3.5%
What the amendment would do
It would amend the Constitution to keep the State income-tax rate from being raised higher than 3.5%. If approved, the limit would apply to both personal and corporate income taxes for taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2027.
“Constitutional amendment to keep the State income tax rate from being raised higher than three and one-half percent (3.5%).”
What voters should understand
The amendment would set a constitutional maximum; it would not itself guarantee a tax cut. Existing law separately provides for possible personal-income-tax reductions, and the corporate rate is already below 3.5% under current law.
Rep. Pierce’s position Vote against. He argues that future legislatures should retain flexibility to fund public schools, transportation, health services, infrastructure, and other public responsibilities.
Read the official amendment text →
Amendment 3 · S.L. 2026-5
Limits on Local Property-Tax Increases
What the amendment would do
It would require the General Assembly to enact general laws limiting how much local property-tax levies may increase. The amendment itself does not establish the final cap, formula, or all possible exceptions.
“Constitutional amendment requiring limits on property tax increases by local governments.”
What voters should understand
The actual rules would be determined through later legislation. Counties, cities, towns, and other local governments use property-tax revenue for services such as public safety, fire and emergency response, public health, infrastructure, and local programs.
Rep. Pierce’s position Vote against. He argues that local officials need flexibility to respond to the different tax bases and service needs of Halifax, Northampton, and Warren counties.
Read the official amendment text →
What this could mean for District 27
Halifax, Northampton, and Warren counties have different populations, tax bases, infrastructure needs, and service demands. The effects of the amendments would depend on how voters decide and, for the property-tax amendment, on what the General Assembly later puts into law.
Potential effects on public services should be described as risks or policy possibilities—not guaranteed outcomes. A constitutional tax limit does not by itself prove that a particular school, road, fire department, or county program will gain or lose funding.
Questions voters may want to ask
- Photo ID: Do you want the broader photo-ID requirement placed in the Constitution, even though current state law already includes an ID requirement and exception procedures?
- Income tax: Do you want to set a permanent constitutional ceiling, or preserve future legislative flexibility to respond to changing needs and economic conditions?
- Property tax: Do you support requiring statewide limits on local levy increases, even though the amendment leaves the actual limits and exceptions to future legislation?
Rep. Pierce’s recommendation: He opposes all three amendments and recommends voting against each one. Voters should review the official ballot language and make their own decision.
Find Your Voting Place & Voter Info
Official and independent sources
Updated October 14, 2026. Verify ballot information with the North Carolina State Board of Elections before voting.
