Strict Voter ID Law
Voters need to confirm their identity with an acceptable ID when they vote in person.
Photo ID
Non-Photo ID
In 36 states, registering to vote is not enough. You may also need to confirm who you are by using specific forms of ID.
What ID you need depends on where you live. Some states require a document such as a current government-issued photo ID (like a driver’s license!) that includes your address and signature. Others accept student IDs or documents like a cell phone bill.
Depending on your state’s rules, you might need to show ID at the polls, include a copy with your absentee ballot application, or enclose one with your ballot when you vote by mail.
Strict Voter ID Law
Voters need to confirm their identity with an acceptable ID when they vote in person.
Non-Strict Voter ID Law
If voters don’t provide an acceptable ID when voting in person, there are other ways to cast a ballot that counts.
No Voter ID Law
Most voters don’t need to show ID to vote in person, with the exception of some first-time voters.
Voter ID is in addition to the requirements for proving your identity and residency when you register to vote.
Many states send a card that is confirmation of your voter registration details. It typically arrives a few weeks after you register to vote.
Here is an example from Texas:
A handful of states accept this voter registration card as a form of voter ID. But you will likely need to be prepared with something else when you cast your ballot.
When you register to vote or vote for the first time in a federal election (Presidential or Congressional elections) in your state, you must prove who you are.
This is required under Federal law. Your state may have separate ID requirements for voting by mail or in person.
MORE INFO FOR FIRST-TIME VOTERS
When We All Vote’s My School Votes: Civics 101 is a year-long training program in advocacy and organizing where high school students learn by doing.
Student-leaders learn how to build campaigns to make sure their class has voter ID and voter registration and be prepared to tackle the issues that matter most to their school community.
