FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Nov. 4, 2026
Contact:
NC By the People Committee
info@ncvoteagainst.org
(919) 213-0518
RALEIGH — Following the passage of the three constitutional amendments on Tuesday, the NC By the People Committee expressed deep disappointment with the results while reaffirming its commitment to building a North Carolina where every community has the resources it needs and every eligible voter can make their voice heard.
The amendments will place new restrictions on state and local revenue options and expand the constitutional requirement for voter photo identification. Coalition members warned throughout the campaign that these changes could make it more difficult to address the state's needs, including fully funded public schools, affordable housing and health care, reliable emergency services, and accessible elections.
The real winners are the wealthy few, profitable corporations, and big property owners,
But a vote for relief was not a vote to let millionaires and corporations off the hook.
North Carolinians want fair tax policies that ensure profitable corporations like Duke Energy and big data center developers pay what they owe so our communities have the resources they need. That includes fully funded public schools, affordable health care, and reliable emergency services. These results make that work harder, but they haven't changed what North Carolinians need or the commitment of educators, families, and advocates to fight for it.
“Today’s results are deeply disappointing for North Carolina’s students, educators, and families. Our public schools already rank 50th in the nation in funding effort, and these amendments will make it even harder to fund the teachers, counselors, bus drivers, and classrooms our children depend on,” said Christina Cole, President of the North Carolina Association of Educators. “Raleigh politicians have put the interests of billionaires and corporations ahead of our kids, but this fight is far from over. Educators across North Carolina will continue standing with parents, students, and communities to demand fully funded public schools and a future where every child has the opportunity to thrive. Our students deserve nothing less.”
The coalition entered the campaign facing significant challenges. Supporters of the amendments emphasized tax limits and election security, while opponents argued that the ballot language did not adequately communicate the long-term consequences of the proposals.
"At the beginning of this campaign, many people saw passage of these amendments as inevitable. But our organizers changed the conversation," said Mel Norton, Research & Policy Director at the Carolina Federation. "We knocked on doors, talked with our neighbors, answered questions, and helped people connect what was on their ballots to the schools, services, and opportunities their communities depend on. The results are not what we worked for, but the relationships we've built and the people we've brought into this work will carry forward."
Despite the statewide results, the NC Vote Against campaign helped bring together organizations, community leaders, and voters across North Carolina to discuss the amendments and their consequences.
More than 100 counties, school boards, unions, businesses, and other organizations publicly voiced opposition to one or more of the amendments in the lead-up to election day. Together, coalition partners connected with roughly 2 million voters and organized hundreds of thousands voters to oppose the amendments and volunteer across the state to spread the word, building connections with North Carolinians who are ready to continue working for a stronger, more equitable state.
The coalition also raised concerns about the passage of the voter ID amendment, which expands the constitutional photo identification requirement to all methods of voting. Voting rights organizations have warned that the change could create additional challenges for Black and brown voters, rural residents, older adults, students, military voters, and North Carolinians living overseas.
"The passage of this amendment makes protecting voting access even more important," said Adrienne Kelly, Executive Director of Democracy North Carolina. "Our Constitution should safeguard the freedom of every eligible North Carolinian to vote freely, safely, and equally. We will continue working to ensure that election laws are implemented fairly, that voters have the information and assistance they need, and that no eligible voter is unnecessarily prevented from making their voice heard."
For NC By the People and its partners, the election also reinforced the need for a broader public conversation about taxes and the role of public investments in supporting North Carolina communities.
The coalition will continue advocating for a tax system in which wealthy households and profitable corporations contribute what they truly owe in taxes, and for policies that help families afford necessities while maintaining strong public services. Its members will also continue working to protect voting access and expand civic participation.
"An election result doesn't change what our communities need or what we're working toward," Alexandra Sirota, Executive Director of the NC Budget & Tax Center said. "We still believe that taxes should be a way we come together to invest in the things that make life better for everyone — from strong public schools and affordable child care to health care, emergency services, and eldercare. We still believe that every eligible voter deserves a voice in our democracy. And we know there are thousands more North Carolinians ready to be part of that work."
The work starts now. The property tax amendment does not set the limit itself — the General Assembly must write it into law. Our organizations will be there to make sure that law protects schools, fire departments, and emergency services, and to push for targeted property tax relief for seniors and working homeowners. Member organizations will also help every eligible North Carolinian get the ID they need to vote, by mail or in person.
"The amendments have passed, but the future of North Carolina is still ours to shape," Todd Zimmer, Co-Executive Director, Down Home North Carolina added. "We have more conversations to have, more people to bring together, and more work to do. The organizing we've done during this campaign is a foundation for what comes next."
“Our partnership with NC By the People reinforced something we have always believed at NC Counts Coalition: Informed communities are empowered communities,” said Stacey L.Carless, Esq., Founding Executive Director of the NC Counts Coalition.
“By meeting residents where they are and connecting complex policy issues to their everyday experiences, we helped make these important conversations more accessible. The work of educating, engaging, and centering communities does not end on Election Day. It is an ongoing commitment to ensuring every community has a voice in shaping North Carolina's future.”
“A constitution belongs to the people, and the consequences of what we write into it will be felt for generations. While today’s results are disappointing, they do not change our commitment to protecting our schools, our communities, and access to the ballot. For months, we’ve worked across North Carolina, from our cities to our rural counties, to help people understand what was at stake. That work has built relationships, strengthened communities, and brought more people into the democratic process. The election may be over, but our work to ensure every North Carolinian has a voice in shaping our state’s future is far from finished,” said Marcus Bass, Executive Director of the North Carolina Black Alliance.
About NC By the People
NC By the People is a statewide ballot committee bringing together organizations and North Carolinians committed to protecting our communities and opposing three proposed constitutional amendments on the November 2026 ballot. Through the NC Vote Against campaign, the committee is working to educate voters about the amendments and their potential consequences for public services, local communities, and voting rights. Learn more at NCVoteAgainst.org.