Which states have voter id

You get married, change your last name, and update your voter registration. You move and for your voter ID, you present a current utility bill. Unfortunately, you've forgotten to update your address on your voter registration beforehand. Ask a real person any government-related question for free. They'll get you the answer or let you know where to find it. About half of the states with voter ID laws accept only photo IDs.

Other states accept some types of non-photo ID. These may include birth certificates Social Security cards bank statements utility bills Each state is specific about the documents it will accept as proof of identification.

For instance: You get married, change your last name, and update your voter registration. Photo ID requested. Voters who do not possess an acceptable form of photo ID and cannot obtain one, may present a supporting form of ID and execute a Reasonable Impediment Declaration.

If ID is not presented, the voter may vote a provisional ballot and may provide ID to the election inspectors before the polls close or to the municipal clerk no later than 4pm on the Friday following Election Day.

The voter must go to a county clerk no later than the close of business the following day and present a qualifying ID for the provisional ballot to be counted.

Voter ID laws can be categorized in two ways. First, the laws can be sorted by whether the state asks for a photo ID or whether it accepts IDs without a photo as well. Second, the laws can be divided by what actions are available for voters who do not have ID. These two categorization schemes can and do overlap.

Photo vs. Other states accept non-photo identification such as a bank statement with name and address or other document that does not necessarily have a photo. Using this categorization for laws that are in effect as of September , 17 states ask for a photo ID and 19 states also accept non-photo IDs. To see this difference, look at the columns in Table One. Procedures for when a voter does not have identification : If a voter fails to show the ID that is asked for by law, states provide alternatives.

These laws fit two categories, non-strict and strict. To see this difference, look at the rows in Table One. Alabama [1] Florida Idaho Louisiana Michigan. Montana Rhode Island South Carolina [4]. In , Pennsylvania enacted a strict photo voter ID law, but it was struck down by the. Since no appeal was filed, it is not in effect. North Carolina also enacted a photo voter ID law in ; it was struck down in and an appeal is likely.

Therefore, these states are not included in this chart of in-force laws. However, there is an alternative: two election officials can sign sworn statements saying they know the voter. However, Oklahoma law also permits a non-photo voter registration card issued by the appropriate county elections board to serve as proof of identity in lieu of photo ID.

However, until December 31, , Wyoming will accept Medicare and Medicaid identification cards as valid forms of ID for voting, neither of which contain a photo. See details in Table 2, below. It has been implemented, even as legal challenges have proceeded through the courts.

In July a federal court ruled that the law was unconstitutional, and that an alternative to showing an ID, such as signing an affidavit attesting to identity, must be permitted. Then in August an appeals court ruled that the law could be implemented as long as the state keeps its pledge to provide temporary free IDs to those in need, and to publicize the law. This temporary order changed North Dakota to a non-strict state in In , HB was enacted allowing voters who do not present an ID at the polls to cast a ballot that is set aside until the voter presents valid identification.

This moved North Dakota once again into the strict non-photo ID category. There are some alternative options for voters without identification in special categories, though.

See Table 2 below for details. In addition to the laws governing what identification all voters must show at the polls, first time voters may face additional requirements. The federal Help America Vote Act section b 2 A mandates that all states require identification from first-time voters who register to vote by mail and have not provided verification of their identification at the time of registration.

Most states with strict voter identification requirements make some exceptions. These exceptions may include people who:. Additionally, voter ID requirements generally apply to in-person voting, not to absentee ballots or mailed ballots.

All voters, regardless of the type of verification required by the states, are subject to perjury charges if they vote under false pretenses. If you have questions regarding the voter ID requirements in your state, please contact your local election administrator.

If voting a provisional ballot, the voter has until PM on the Friday after the election to bring the required ID. An election official may waive the identification requirement if the election official knows the identity of the voter. A voter who cannot exhibit a required form of identification shall be allowed to vote a questioned ballot. An elector who does not provide the required identification shall receive a provisional ballot. Provisional ballots are counted only if the elector provides identification to the county recorder by 5 p.

Documents and identification cards that comply with the requirements include without limitation:. A document or identification card may be presented in a digital format on an electronic device if it complies with other requirements and has been approved or issues by the U.

A voter who did not present a required document or identification card may cast a provisional ballot. The ballot will be counted only if the voter presents acceptable identification to the county clerk or election board by noon the Monday following the election. However, at least one location is open on Election Day for in-person voting, and the ID requirement spelled out here applies to those voters.

The designated election official shall attempt to verify that an elector who cast a provisional ballot is eligible to vote. The designated election official or designee shall complete the preliminary verification of the elector's eligibility to vote before the ballot is counted. Elector shall, on a form prescribed by the secretary of the state, write the elector's residential address and date of birth, print the elector's name and sign a statement under penalty of false statement that the elector is the elector whose name appears on the official checklist.

In the event the voter does not have proof of identity with them, he or she shall sign an affidavit of affirmation that he or she is the person listed on the election district record.

If the elector fails to furnish the required picture identification with signature as required, the elector shall be allowed to vote a provisional ballot. The canvassing board shall determine the validity of the ballot by determining whether the elector is entitled to vote at the precinct where the ballot was cast and that the elector had not already cast a ballot in the election.

Florida uses signature matching: the voter signs the provisional ballot envelope. That signature is compared to the signature in the voter registration records. If they match, the ballot is counted. A voter without one of the acceptable forms of photo identification can vote on a provisional ballot. He or she will have up to three days after the election to present appropriate photo identification at the county registrar's office in order for the provisional ballot to be counted.

Acceptable types of ID are not specified by law. Hawaii's office of elections provides this information: "Forms of acceptable identification include a valid photo ID Drivers License, State ID, etc , a copy of a current utility bill, bank statement, paycheck, or other government issued document that shows your name and address.

A voter may complete an affidavit in lieu of the personal identification. The affidavit shall be on a form prescribed by the secretary of state and shall require the voter to provide the voter's name and address. The voter shall sign the affidavit. Any person who knowingly provides false, erroneous or inaccurate information on such affidavit shall be guilty of a felony. Voters who are unable or decline to produce proof of identification may vote a provisional ballot.

The ballot is counted only if 1 the voter returns to the election board by noon on the Monday after the election and: A produces proof of identification; or B executes an affidavit stating that the voter cannot obtain proof of identification, because the voter: i is indigent; or ii has a religious objection to being photographed; and 2 the voter has not been challenged or required to vote a provisional ballot for any other reason.

In , voters will be asked for ID and anyone who does not have necessary ID will be asked to sign an oath verifying their identity, and will be allowed to cast a regular ballot. In , voters without the necessary ID will be offered a provisional ballot and can provide ID up until the time of the county canvass of votes Monday after election day. A person who is registered to vote but is unable to present a form of identification listed may present any of the following:.

A current voter identification card that contains the voter identification number if the voter identification card is signed before the voter presents the card to the election official. Other forms of identification sufficient to establish identity and residence dates, or describe terms of residency current to, within forty-five days prior to presentation:.

A person who is registered to vote but is unable to present a form of identification listed above, may establish identity and residency in the precinct by written oath of a person who is also registered to vote in the precinct.

The oath must be signed by the attesting registered voter in the presence of the appropriate precinct election official. The following forms of identification are valid if they contain the name and photograph of the voter and have not expired.

Expired documents are valid if the bearer is aged 65 or older. A voter who is unable or refuses to provide current and valid identification may vote a provisional ballot. To have his or her ballot counted, the voter must provide a valid form of identification to the county election officer in person or provide a copy by mail or electronic means before the meeting of the county board of canvassers. When the officers of an election disagree as to the qualifications of a voter or if his right to vote is disputed by a challenger, the voter shall sign a written oath as to his qualifications before he is permitted to vote.

However, an applicant that is allowed to vote without the picture identification required by this Paragraph is subject to challenge as provided in R. A voter who does not possess either of the above may show any of the following, as long as they are current:.

An individual who does not possess, or did not bring to the polls, photo ID, may sign an affidavit and vote a regular ballot. An individual without ID can cast an affidavit ballot which will be counted if the individual returns to the appropriate circuit clerk within five days after the election and shows government-issued photo ID. Voters with a religious objection to being photographed may vote an affidavit ballot, which will be counted if the voter returns to the appropriate circuit clerk within five days after the election and executes an affidavit that the religious exemption applies.

If the identification presented is insufficient to verify the elector's identity and eligibility to vote or if the elector's name does not appear in the precinct register, the elector may sign the precinct register and cast a provisional ballot.

Montana uses signature verification to verify the eligibility of provisional ballots. If the voter's signature on the provisional ballot affirmation matches the signature on the voter's registration record, the ballot is counted.

New Hampshire. If a voter does not have a valid photo identification, the ballot clerk shall inform the voter that he or she may execute a challenged voter affidavit. Unless the voter has a religious objection to having his or her photo taken, the moderator will take his or her photo and affix it to the affidavit. The voter may then cast a regular ballot. By Jan. Any such letters returned as undeliverable must be turned over to the attorney general, who shall investigate for voter fraud.

The secretary must also turn over to the attorney general a list of all voters who fail to respond to the letter to confirm that they voted. See the New Hampshire Secretary of State's explanation for details. North Carolina. An appeal is likely. NOTE: Implementation was to begin in , though the law was struck down in Any of the following that is valid and unexpired, or has been expired for one year or less and contain a photo:.

Jump to: navigation , search. Election coverage on Ballotpedia. Election policy on Ballotpedia. Hover over each state in the map for more details. In addition, in Minnesota, voters who have not voted in four years must present identification. Several other states that generally don't require identification require it if a voter did not provide it upon registering.

Voting procedures generally; identification; assistance to voters; voting records; penalties. Categories : Voting policy concepts and issues Election policy tracking. Voter information What's on my ballot? Where do I vote? How do I register to vote? How do I request a ballot? When do I vote? When are polls open? Who Represents Me? Congress special elections Governors State executives State legislatures Ballot measures State judges Municipal officials School boards.

How do I update a page? Election results. Privacy policy About Ballotpedia Disclaimers Login. Alabama requires voters to present photo ID while voting.

A voter can obtain a free photo ID from the Alabama Secretary of State , a county registrar's office, or a mobile location, which changes daily. The mobile location schedule can be accessed here. Voters in Alaska must present a valid form of identification at the polls.

The identification does not have to include a photo. If an election official knows the identity of the voter, the official can waive the identification requirement unless it is a first-time voter who registered without providing identification. In Arizona, a voter must present some form of identification at the polls. The identification does not necessarily need to include a photo.

A voter can either present a photo ID that includes his or her name and registered address, or two forms of non-photo ID that include the voter's name and registered address. Arkansas has a photo ID requirement for voting purposes. It must be issued by "the United States, the State of Arkansas, or an accredited postsecondary educational institution in the State of Arkansas. According to the Office of the California Secretary of State, "in most cases, California voters are not required to show identification at their polling place.

Acceptable forms of identification include driver's licenses, utility bills, or any document sent by a government agency. Colorado voters must provide a valid form of identification if they choose to vote in person. Voters may also need to return a photocopy of their ID with their ballots if they are voting by mail for the first time. Voters in Connecticut must present some form of identification at the polls, though a photo is not required.

First-time voters who registered by mail must present either valid photo ID or a current document such as a bill or check with their name and address when voting in elections with federal candidates. All other voters must present either a social security card or other ID showing either name and address, name and signature, or name and photo.

The District of Columbia Board of Elections requires voters who submitted their voter registration application by mail or online without one of the following documents to present one the first time they vote: a copy of a government-issued photo ID showing name and address, a government-issued document showing name and address, or a utility bill, bank statement, government check, or paycheck showing name and address issued within the past 90 days.

All Delaware voters are asked to provide identification at the polls. Valid identification includes a Delaware driver's license or state ID, a signed social security card, or another document that identifies the person by photo or signature. A photo is not required. Voters who do not present proof of identity can "sign an affidavit of affirmation that the voter is the person listed on the election district record," according to Delaware Code. Voters in Florida are required to present photo and signature identification on Election Day.

If a voter's photo ID does not display his or her signature, he or she will need to supply a second form of identification that does. Photo identification is required when voting in Georgia. Hawaii law states, "Every person shall provide identification if so requested by a precinct official.

Forms of acceptable I. In order to vote in Idaho, voters must present valid photo identification or sign an affidavit. If a voter is unable to present an accepted ID, he or she is allowed to sign a personal identification affidavit swearing to his or her identity. After signing the affidavit, the voter is issued a regular ballot. Illinois does not require voters to present identification while voting, in most cases. Indiana law requires voters to present an Indiana or U.

The ID must either be current or have expired sometime after the date of the last general election. Certain voters can claim exemption from the law. Iowa requires voters to present identification while voting. Voters who do not have a photo ID can obtain one for free by mail. If a voter doesn't have photo ID, they may have another voter vouch for his or her identity. The voter can also provide other documents verifying his or her identity and residence.