Voters would be required to show a valid photo ID — such as a driver's license, passport, military ID, or tribal ID — before they can cast a ballot in federal elections, whether in person or by mail. Voters without ID could still cast a provisional ballot and would have three days afterward to provide the ID or, in the case of a religious objection to being photographed, a signed affidavit. Mail voters without a photo ID could instead submit the last four digits of their Social Security number along with an affidavit explaining they could not reasonably obtain one. States would have to notify voters of the new ID requirement during registration, and would be required to make free photocopying or scanning access available at government buildings like libraries, courts, and police stations. Military and overseas voters, along with certain voters with disabilities, are exempted from the requirement.
Civil Liberties
- Voting access — Photo ID now required to receive a ballot for federal elections, in person or by mail
- Ballot cure process — Voters without ID get a provisional ballot and 3 days to verify eligibility
- Free ID access — States must provide no-cost ID copying at libraries, courts, and police stations
Congressional Summary
This bill establishes certain photo identification requirements for voting in federal elections.Specifically, the bill prohibits a state or local election official from providing a ballot for a federal election to an individual who does not present valid physical photo identification.Next, the bill outlines the availability of provisional ballots and the requirements for counting those ballots. In particular, an individual who does not present a valid photo identification must be permitted to cast a provisional ballot. However, an election official may not determine that the individual is eligible under state law to vote in the election unless, not later than three days after casting the provisional ballot, the individual presents (1) the identification required, or (2) an affidavit attesting that the individual does not possess the identification because of a religious objection to being photographed.An election official may not allow for voting methods other than in-person voting unless the individual submits the ballot with (1) a copy of their photo identification, or (2) the last four digits of their Social Security number with an affidavit attesting that the individual is unable to obtain a copy of a valid photo identification after making reasonable efforts to obtain a copy. This prohibition shall not apply to overseas military voters and certain disabled or elderly voters.
Details
- Congress
- 119th
- Chamber
- Senate
- Status
- summarized
- Action
- Introduced in Senate
- Action Date
- 2026-03-19
- Date Added
- 2026-07-18
- Source
- Congress.gov →
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