This bill amends the Help America Vote Act of 2002 to establish a nationwide requirement for voters to present photo identification as a condition of casting a ballot in federal elections. For individuals voting in person , a valid physical photo identification must be presented to election officials. If a voter does not have the required identification, they may cast a provisional ballot, which will only be counted if they present the valid photo ID or an affidavit attesting to a religious objection to being photographed within three days. For individuals voting other than in person , such as by mail, the bill requires them to submit a copy of a valid photo identification with their ballot. Alternatively, they can provide the last four digits of their Social Security number along with an affidavit stating they made reasonable efforts but were unable to obtain a copy of a photo ID. Exceptions to this non-in-person ID requirement are made for absent uniformed services voters and individuals voting under the Voting Accessibility for the Elderly and Handicapped Act. Acceptable forms of photo identification include State-issued driver's licenses or ID cards, U.S. passports, military IDs, and Tribal government IDs, all requiring a photo and expiration date. To assist voters, states are directed to ensure public access to digital imaging devices at no cost in government buildings for individuals to copy their photo identification. Additionally, states must notify all voter registration applicants, including those registering online, about these new photo identification requirements. These provisions would take effect immediately upon enactment and apply to all federal elections thereafter.
A bill to require voters to provide photo identification as a condition of casting a ballot, and for other purposes.
USA119th CongressS-4155| Senate
| Updated: 3/19/2026
This bill amends the Help America Vote Act of 2002 to establish a nationwide requirement for voters to present photo identification as a condition of casting a ballot in federal elections. For individuals voting in person , a valid physical photo identification must be presented to election officials. If a voter does not have the required identification, they may cast a provisional ballot, which will only be counted if they present the valid photo ID or an affidavit attesting to a religious objection to being photographed within three days. For individuals voting other than in person , such as by mail, the bill requires them to submit a copy of a valid photo identification with their ballot. Alternatively, they can provide the last four digits of their Social Security number along with an affidavit stating they made reasonable efforts but were unable to obtain a copy of a photo ID. Exceptions to this non-in-person ID requirement are made for absent uniformed services voters and individuals voting under the Voting Accessibility for the Elderly and Handicapped Act. Acceptable forms of photo identification include State-issued driver's licenses or ID cards, U.S. passports, military IDs, and Tribal government IDs, all requiring a photo and expiration date. To assist voters, states are directed to ensure public access to digital imaging devices at no cost in government buildings for individuals to copy their photo identification. Additionally, states must notify all voter registration applicants, including those registering online, about these new photo identification requirements. These provisions would take effect immediately upon enactment and apply to all federal elections thereafter.