Do You Need an ID to Vote?
In 36 states, yes: poll workers ask voters to show some form of identification. In the other 14 states and Washington, D.C., most voters show no document; election officials check identity against registration records, most often by signature (NCSL). Everywhere, a first-time voter who registered by mail can be asked for ID under federal law.
Having no ID rarely means you cannot vote at all. In 22 of the 36 ID states, a voter without ID can still cast a ballot that counts without another trip. In the 14 strict states, that voter casts a provisional ballot and must bring ID to an election office within a few days.
- 36
- States that ask voters for ID at the polls
- 24
- States that ask for a photo ID
- 14
- Strict states, where a voter without ID must return with one
Key facts
- 36 states ask voters for ID; 14 states and D.C. do not (NCSL).
- Federal law lets states ask first-time mail registrants for ID or a bill with their address (52 U.S.C. 21083).
- Louisiana ends its no-ID affidavit option on July 1, 2027 (NCSL).
Voter ID Laws by State
Choose your state to see what ID it asks for and what happens if you do not have one. The map colors each state by NCSL’s two tests: photo or non-photo, and strict or non-strict.
Voter ID rules in your state
Choose your state to see what ID to bring and your options without one.
Alabama
- Do you need an ID to vote in person in the state?
- Photo ID requested, with a fallback Without ID: Vote provisionally and bring ID by 5 p.m. the Friday after the election, or vote a regular ballot if two poll workers sign sworn statements that they know you. Some call Alabama strict, because most voters without photo ID must return with it. NCSL counts it non-strict because of the vouching option. Source
Verified September 29, 2026. Before you vote, check your state election office's list of accepted IDs.
Alaska
- Do you need an ID to vote in person in the state?
- ID requested, photo not needed, with a fallback Without ID: A poll worker who knows you can waive the ID rule. Otherwise you vote a questioned ballot. Source
Verified September 29, 2026. Before you vote, check your state election office's list of accepted IDs.
Arizona
- Do you need an ID to vote in person in the state?
- ID with or without a photo, strict Without ID: Vote provisionally and show ID to the county recorder within five days after a federal general election. Source
Verified September 29, 2026. Before you vote, check your state election office's list of accepted IDs.
Arkansas
- Do you need an ID to vote in person in the state?
- Photo ID, strict Without ID: Vote provisionally and show ID to the county clerk or election board by noon the Monday after the election. Source
Verified September 29, 2026. Before you vote, check your state election office's list of accepted IDs.
California
- Do you need an ID to vote in person in the state?
- No ID document for most voters Without ID: No ID document at the polls for most voters. Your identity is checked against your registration, usually by signature. A first-time voter who registered by mail may be asked for ID or a document with name and address under federal law. Source
Verified September 29, 2026. Before you vote, check your state election office's list of accepted IDs.
Colorado
- Do you need an ID to vote in person in the state?
- ID requested, photo not needed, with a fallback Without ID: Vote provisionally. Election officials verify your eligibility before it is counted. Source
Verified September 29, 2026. Before you vote, check your state election office's list of accepted IDs.
Connecticut
- Do you need an ID to vote in person in the state?
- ID requested, photo not needed, with a fallback Without ID: Write your address and date of birth and sign a statement, under penalty of false statement, that you are the listed voter. Source
Verified September 29, 2026. Before you vote, check your state election office's list of accepted IDs.
Delaware
- Do you need an ID to vote in person in the state?
- ID requested, photo not needed, with a fallback Without ID: Sign an affidavit that you are the person on the voter list. Source
Verified September 29, 2026. Before you vote, check your state election office's list of accepted IDs.
District of Columbia
- Do you need an ID to vote in person in the state?
- No ID document for most voters Without ID: No ID document at the polls for most voters. Your identity is checked against your registration, usually by signature. A first-time voter who registered by mail may be asked for ID or a document with name and address under federal law. Source
Verified September 29, 2026. Before you vote, check your state election office's list of accepted IDs.
Florida
- Do you need an ID to vote in person in the state?
- Photo ID requested, with a fallback Without ID: Vote provisionally. The canvassing board checks your signature and eligibility, with no further step from you. Source
Verified September 29, 2026. Before you vote, check your state election office's list of accepted IDs.
Georgia
- Do you need an ID to vote in person in the state?
- Photo ID, strict Without ID: Vote provisionally and show photo ID at the county registrar within three days after the election. Since 2025 (HB 296), the ID must be a physical card, not a phone app. Source
Verified September 29, 2026. Before you vote, check your state election office's list of accepted IDs.
Hawaii
- Do you need an ID to vote in person in the state?
- No ID document for most voters Without ID: No ID document at the polls for most voters. Your identity is checked against your registration, usually by signature. A first-time voter who registered by mail may be asked for ID or a document with name and address under federal law. Source
Verified September 29, 2026. Before you vote, check your state election office's list of accepted IDs.
Idaho
- Do you need an ID to vote in person in the state?
- Photo ID requested, with a fallback Without ID: Sign an affidavit with your name, address and date of birth or Idaho license or ID number. Source
Verified September 29, 2026. Before you vote, check your state election office's list of accepted IDs.
Illinois
- Do you need an ID to vote in person in the state?
- No ID document for most voters Without ID: No ID document at the polls for most voters. Your identity is checked against your registration, usually by signature. A first-time voter who registered by mail may be asked for ID or a document with name and address under federal law. Source
Verified September 29, 2026. Before you vote, check your state election office's list of accepted IDs.
Indiana
- Do you need an ID to vote in person in the state?
- Photo ID, strict Without ID: Vote provisionally and return by noon the Monday after the election with ID, or sign an affidavit if you are indigent or have a religious objection. College and university IDs stopped counting in 2025 (SB 10). Source
Verified September 29, 2026. Before you vote, check your state election office's list of accepted IDs.
Iowa
- Do you need an ID to vote in person in the state?
- ID with or without a photo, strict Without ID: Show another document that proves who you are and where you live. Since 2026 (HB 2501), another voter can no longer vouch for you. Source
Verified September 29, 2026. Before you vote, check your state election office's list of accepted IDs.
Kansas
- Do you need an ID to vote in person in the state?
- Photo ID, strict Without ID: Vote provisionally and get ID to the county election officer before the county canvass. Source
Verified September 29, 2026. Before you vote, check your state election office's list of accepted IDs.
Kentucky
- Do you need an ID to vote in person in the state?
- Photo ID requested, with a fallback Without ID: Sign an affirmation, give the reason you have no ID, and show a county or other card with your photo and name. Source
Verified September 29, 2026. Before you vote, check your state election office's list of accepted IDs.
Louisiana
- Do you need an ID to vote in person in the state?
- Photo ID requested, with a fallback Without ID: Sign an affidavit with your date of birth and mother's maiden name. Starting July 1, 2027 (SB 319), the affidavit option ends. Source
Verified September 29, 2026. Before you vote, check your state election office's list of accepted IDs.
Maine
- Do you need an ID to vote in person in the state?
- No ID document for most voters Without ID: No ID document at the polls for most voters. Your identity is checked against your registration, usually by signature. A first-time voter who registered by mail may be asked for ID or a document with name and address under federal law. Source
Verified September 29, 2026. Before you vote, check your state election office's list of accepted IDs.
Maryland
- Do you need an ID to vote in person in the state?
- No ID document for most voters Without ID: No ID document at the polls for most voters. Your identity is checked against your registration, usually by signature. A first-time voter who registered by mail may be asked for ID or a document with name and address under federal law. Source
Verified September 29, 2026. Before you vote, check your state election office's list of accepted IDs.
Massachusetts
- Do you need an ID to vote in person in the state?
- No ID document for most voters Without ID: No ID document at the polls for most voters. Your identity is checked against your registration, usually by signature. A first-time voter who registered by mail may be asked for ID or a document with name and address under federal law. Source
Verified September 29, 2026. Before you vote, check your state election office's list of accepted IDs.
Michigan
- Do you need an ID to vote in person in the state?
- Photo ID requested, with a fallback Without ID: Sign an affidavit and vote a regular ballot. Source
Verified September 29, 2026. Before you vote, check your state election office's list of accepted IDs.
Minnesota
- Do you need an ID to vote in person in the state?
- No ID document for most voters Without ID: No ID document at the polls for most voters. Your identity is checked against your registration, usually by signature. A first-time voter who registered by mail may be asked for ID or a document with name and address under federal law. Source
Verified September 29, 2026. Before you vote, check your state election office's list of accepted IDs.
Mississippi
- Do you need an ID to vote in person in the state?
- Photo ID, strict Without ID: Vote an affidavit ballot and show government photo ID at the circuit clerk's office within five days. Source
Verified September 29, 2026. Before you vote, check your state election office's list of accepted IDs.
Missouri
- Do you need an ID to vote in person in the state?
- Photo ID requested, with a fallback Without ID: Vote provisionally. It counts if you return with ID by 7 p.m. that day or your signature matches your registration. Source
Verified September 29, 2026. Before you vote, check your state election office's list of accepted IDs.
Montana
- Do you need an ID to vote in person in the state?
- Photo ID requested, with a fallback Without ID: Vote provisionally. It counts if your signature matches your registration. Source
Verified September 29, 2026. Before you vote, check your state election office's list of accepted IDs.
Nebraska
- Do you need an ID to vote in person in the state?
- Photo ID requested, with a fallback Without ID: Vote provisionally and bring ID by the Friday after the election, or sign a reasonable impediment form if you cannot get one. Source
Verified September 29, 2026. Before you vote, check your state election office's list of accepted IDs.
Nevada
- Do you need an ID to vote in person in the state?
- No ID document for most voters Without ID: No ID document at the polls for most voters. Your identity is checked against your registration, usually by signature. A first-time voter who registered by mail may be asked for ID or a document with name and address under federal law. Source
Verified September 29, 2026. Before you vote, check your state election office's list of accepted IDs.
New Hampshire
- Do you need an ID to vote in person in the state?
- Photo ID, strict Without ID: A local election official may verify who you are. If not, you cannot vote and can only appeal to superior court. Student IDs stopped counting in 2026 (HB 323). Voters with a religious objection to photos can sign an affidavit. Source
Verified September 29, 2026. Before you vote, check your state election office's list of accepted IDs.
New Jersey
- Do you need an ID to vote in person in the state?
- No ID document for most voters Without ID: No ID document at the polls for most voters. Your identity is checked against your registration, usually by signature. A first-time voter who registered by mail may be asked for ID or a document with name and address under federal law. Source
Verified September 29, 2026. Before you vote, check your state election office's list of accepted IDs.
New Mexico
- Do you need an ID to vote in person in the state?
- No ID document for most voters Without ID: No ID document at the polls for most voters. Your identity is checked against your registration, usually by signature. A first-time voter who registered by mail may be asked for ID or a document with name and address under federal law. Source
Verified September 29, 2026. Before you vote, check your state election office's list of accepted IDs.
New York
- Do you need an ID to vote in person in the state?
- No ID document for most voters Without ID: No ID document at the polls for most voters. Your identity is checked against your registration, usually by signature. A first-time voter who registered by mail may be asked for ID or a document with name and address under federal law. Source
Verified September 29, 2026. Before you vote, check your state election office's list of accepted IDs.
North Carolina
- Do you need an ID to vote in person in the state?
- Photo ID, strict Without ID: Vote provisionally and bring ID to the county board of elections by the business day before the canvass. Source
Verified September 29, 2026. Before you vote, check your state election office's list of accepted IDs.
North Dakota
- Do you need an ID to vote in person in the state?
- ID with or without a photo, strict Without ID: Mark a ballot that is set aside, then show ID to a poll worker or election official before the canvass. Source
Verified September 29, 2026. Before you vote, check your state election office's list of accepted IDs.
Ohio
- Do you need an ID to vote in person in the state?
- Photo ID, strict Without ID: Vote provisionally and show photo ID at the board of elections within four days. Source
Verified September 29, 2026. Before you vote, check your state election office's list of accepted IDs.
Oklahoma
- Do you need an ID to vote in person in the state?
- ID requested, photo not needed, with a fallback Without ID: Vote provisionally. It counts if your name, address, date of birth and license or Social Security digits match your registration. A voter registration card from the county election board counts as ID. Voters approved State Question 846 in 2026, putting an ID requirement in the state constitution. Source
Verified September 29, 2026. Before you vote, check your state election office's list of accepted IDs.
Oregon
- Do you need an ID to vote in person in the state?
- No ID document for most voters Without ID: No ID document at the polls for most voters. Your identity is checked against your registration, usually by signature. A first-time voter who registered by mail may be asked for ID or a document with name and address under federal law. Source
Verified September 29, 2026. Before you vote, check your state election office's list of accepted IDs.
Pennsylvania
- Do you need an ID to vote in person in the state?
- No ID document for most voters Without ID: No ID document at the polls for most voters. Your identity is checked against your registration, usually by signature. A first-time voter who registered by mail may be asked for ID or a document with name and address under federal law. Source
Verified September 29, 2026. Before you vote, check your state election office's list of accepted IDs.
Rhode Island
- Do you need an ID to vote in person in the state?
- Photo ID requested, with a fallback Without ID: Vote provisionally. It counts if your signature matches your registration. Source
Verified September 29, 2026. Before you vote, check your state election office's list of accepted IDs.
South Carolina
- Do you need an ID to vote in person in the state?
- Photo ID requested, with a fallback Without ID: Declare a reasonable impediment and show a non-photo ID, or vote provisionally and bring photo ID before certification. Source
Verified September 29, 2026. Before you vote, check your state election office's list of accepted IDs.
South Dakota
- Do you need an ID to vote in person in the state?
- Photo ID requested, with a fallback Without ID: Sign an affidavit with your name and address, under penalty of perjury. Source
Verified September 29, 2026. Before you vote, check your state election office's list of accepted IDs.
Tennessee
- Do you need an ID to vote in person in the state?
- Photo ID, strict Without ID: Vote provisionally and show ID to the election administrator within two business days. Digital IDs on a phone do not count (2025, HB 1316). Source
Verified September 29, 2026. Before you vote, check your state election office's list of accepted IDs.
Texas
- Do you need an ID to vote in person in the state?
- Photo ID requested, with a fallback Without ID: If you cannot get a photo ID, show a supporting document such as a utility bill and sign a Reasonable Impediment Declaration. Seven kinds of photo ID are accepted. Our Texas voting guide covers the reasonable impediment path step by step. Source
Verified September 29, 2026. Before you vote, check your state election office's list of accepted IDs.
Utah
- Do you need an ID to vote in person in the state?
- ID requested, photo not needed, with a fallback Without ID: Vote provisionally. The county clerk may verify you another way, or ask you to bring ID by the Monday after the election. Source
Verified September 29, 2026. Before you vote, check your state election office's list of accepted IDs.
Vermont
- Do you need an ID to vote in person in the state?
- No ID document for most voters Without ID: No ID document at the polls for most voters. Your identity is checked against your registration, usually by signature. A first-time voter who registered by mail may be asked for ID or a document with name and address under federal law. Source
Verified September 29, 2026. Before you vote, check your state election office's list of accepted IDs.
Virginia
- Do you need an ID to vote in person in the state?
- ID requested, photo not needed, with a fallback Without ID: Sign a statement under penalty of perjury and vote a regular ballot. Some first-time voters must vote provisionally. Source
Verified September 29, 2026. Before you vote, check your state election office's list of accepted IDs.
Washington
- Do you need an ID to vote in person in the state?
- ID requested, photo not needed, with a fallback Without ID: Vote provisionally. It counts if your signature matches your registration. Source
Verified September 29, 2026. Before you vote, check your state election office's list of accepted IDs.
West Virginia
- Do you need an ID to vote in person in the state?
- Photo ID requested, with a fallback Without ID: Sign an affidavit and vote provisionally. It counts once officials verify you. Photo ID has been required since a 2025 law (HB 3016). The state asked for non-photo ID before. Source
Verified September 29, 2026. Before you vote, check your state election office's list of accepted IDs.
Wisconsin
- Do you need an ID to vote in person in the state?
- Photo ID, strict Without ID: Vote provisionally and show ID by 4 p.m. the Friday after the election. Voters added the photo ID requirement to the state constitution in 2025. Source
Verified September 29, 2026. Before you vote, check your state election office's list of accepted IDs.
Wyoming
- Do you need an ID to vote in person in the state?
- ID with or without a photo, strict Without ID: Vote provisionally and show ID to the county clerk by the end of the next business day. Medicare and Medicaid cards, which have no photo, count as ID until December 31, 2029. Source
Verified September 29, 2026. Before you vote, check your state election office's list of accepted IDs.
Based on NCSL's Voter ID Laws tables (updated September 3, 2026), checked September 29, 2026. Rules cover in-person voting; mail ballots have separate checks. This is general information, not legal advice.
Do you need an ID to vote in person in the state?
- Photo ID, strict (10)
- ID with or without a photo, strict (4)
- Photo ID requested, with a fallback (14)
- ID requested, photo not needed, with a fallback (8)
- No ID document for most voters (15)
Sources: NCSL, Voter ID Laws (updated September 3, 2026), Tables 1 and 2; Help America Vote Act, 52 U.S.C. 21083(b) (Cornell LII). Verified September 29, 2026.
| State | Do you need an ID to vote in person in the state? |
|---|---|
| Alabama | Photo ID requested, with a fallback |
| Alaska | ID requested, photo not needed, with a fallback |
| Arizona | ID with or without a photo, strict |
| Arkansas | Photo ID, strict |
| California | No ID document for most voters |
| Colorado | ID requested, photo not needed, with a fallback |
| Connecticut | ID requested, photo not needed, with a fallback |
| Delaware | ID requested, photo not needed, with a fallback |
| District of Columbia | No ID document for most voters |
| Florida | Photo ID requested, with a fallback |
| Georgia | Photo ID, strict |
| Hawaii | No ID document for most voters |
| Idaho | Photo ID requested, with a fallback |
| Illinois | No ID document for most voters |
| Indiana | Photo ID, strict |
| Iowa | ID with or without a photo, strict |
| Kansas | Photo ID, strict |
| Kentucky | Photo ID requested, with a fallback |
| Louisiana | Photo ID requested, with a fallback |
| Maine | No ID document for most voters |
| Maryland | No ID document for most voters |
| Massachusetts | No ID document for most voters |
| Michigan | Photo ID requested, with a fallback |
| Minnesota | No ID document for most voters |
| Mississippi | Photo ID, strict |
| Missouri | Photo ID requested, with a fallback |
| Montana | Photo ID requested, with a fallback |
| Nebraska | Photo ID requested, with a fallback |
| Nevada | No ID document for most voters |
| New Hampshire | Photo ID, strict |
| New Jersey | No ID document for most voters |
| New Mexico | No ID document for most voters |
| New York | No ID document for most voters |
| North Carolina | Photo ID, strict |
| North Dakota | ID with or without a photo, strict |
| Ohio | Photo ID, strict |
| Oklahoma | ID requested, photo not needed, with a fallback |
| Oregon | No ID document for most voters |
| Pennsylvania | No ID document for most voters |
| Rhode Island | Photo ID requested, with a fallback |
| South Carolina | Photo ID requested, with a fallback |
| South Dakota | Photo ID requested, with a fallback |
| Tennessee | Photo ID, strict |
| Texas | Photo ID requested, with a fallback |
| Utah | ID requested, photo not needed, with a fallback |
| Vermont | No ID document for most voters |
| Virginia | ID requested, photo not needed, with a fallback |
| Washington | ID requested, photo not needed, with a fallback |
| West Virginia | Photo ID requested, with a fallback |
| Wisconsin | Photo ID, strict |
| Wyoming | ID with or without a photo, strict |
See all states in a table
| Alabama | Photo ID requested, with a fallback |
|---|---|
| Alaska | ID requested, photo not needed, with a fallback |
| Arizona | ID with or without a photo, strict |
| Arkansas | Photo ID, strict |
| California | No ID document for most voters |
| Colorado | ID requested, photo not needed, with a fallback |
| Connecticut | ID requested, photo not needed, with a fallback |
| Delaware | ID requested, photo not needed, with a fallback |
| District of Columbia | No ID document for most voters |
| Florida | Photo ID requested, with a fallback |
| Georgia | Photo ID, strict |
| Hawaii | No ID document for most voters |
| Idaho | Photo ID requested, with a fallback |
| Illinois | No ID document for most voters |
| Indiana | Photo ID, strict |
| Iowa | ID with or without a photo, strict |
| Kansas | Photo ID, strict |
| Kentucky | Photo ID requested, with a fallback |
| Louisiana | Photo ID requested, with a fallback |
| Maine | No ID document for most voters |
| Maryland | No ID document for most voters |
| Massachusetts | No ID document for most voters |
| Michigan | Photo ID requested, with a fallback |
| Minnesota | No ID document for most voters |
| Mississippi | Photo ID, strict |
| Missouri | Photo ID requested, with a fallback |
| Montana | Photo ID requested, with a fallback |
| Nebraska | Photo ID requested, with a fallback |
| Nevada | No ID document for most voters |
| New Hampshire | Photo ID, strict |
| New Jersey | No ID document for most voters |
| New Mexico | No ID document for most voters |
| New York | No ID document for most voters |
| North Carolina | Photo ID, strict |
| North Dakota | ID with or without a photo, strict |
| Ohio | Photo ID, strict |
| Oklahoma | ID requested, photo not needed, with a fallback |
| Oregon | No ID document for most voters |
| Pennsylvania | No ID document for most voters |
| Rhode Island | Photo ID requested, with a fallback |
| South Carolina | Photo ID requested, with a fallback |
| South Dakota | Photo ID requested, with a fallback |
| Tennessee | Photo ID, strict |
| Texas | Photo ID requested, with a fallback |
| Utah | ID requested, photo not needed, with a fallback |
| Vermont | No ID document for most voters |
| Virginia | ID requested, photo not needed, with a fallback |
| Washington | ID requested, photo not needed, with a fallback |
| West Virginia | Photo ID requested, with a fallback |
| Wisconsin | Photo ID, strict |
| Wyoming | ID with or without a photo, strict |
No states match. Clear the search or filter to see all 51.
Sources: NCSL, Voter ID Laws (updated September 3, 2026), Tables 1 and 2; Help America Vote Act, 52 U.S.C. 21083(b) (Cornell LII). Verified September 29, 2026.
Which States Do Not Require ID to Vote?
California, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania and Vermont, plus Washington, D.C., do not ask most voters for an ID document. Voters give their name and address, and officials check them against the registration list, often with a signature match. Every voter who votes under false pretenses can face perjury charges, whatever the state’s ID rule (NCSL).
The one exception applies everywhere. Under the Help America Vote Act, a person voting for the first time in a federal election who registered by mail must show a photo ID or a current document with their name and address, such as a utility bill or bank statement, unless the state already matched their driver’s license or Social Security number (52 U.S.C. 21083).
Strict and Non-Strict Voter ID Laws
NCSL sorts voter ID laws two ways: what ID a state asks for, and what happens when a voter does not have it. A strict state makes a voter without ID cast a provisional ballot and return with ID after Election Day. A non-strict state gives that voter a way to vote that counts with no further step, such as signing an affidavit (NCSL).
Voter ID laws in force in 2026, by NCSL's two tests
Source: NCSL, Voter ID Laws, Table 1, updated September 3, 2026
NCSL flags close calls. Alabama counts as non-strict because two poll workers can vouch for a voter they know. Wyoming counts as non-photo because Medicare and Medicaid cards are accepted until the end of 2029. New Hampshire counts as strict because a voter turned away can only appeal to a court.
What Happens If You Show Up Without ID?
You can still vote in every state, but in strict states your ballot counts only if you bring ID afterward. The path depends on your state’s rule.
Voting without ID in a strict state
- At the polls Ask for a provisional ballot Federal law requires poll workers to offer one. You mark it and seal it in an envelope with your information.
- Before you leave Get the deadline in writing Ask where to bring your ID and by when. Deadlines run from the next business day in Wyoming to the county canvass in North Carolina.
- Days after Bring an accepted ID Show it at the county election office. In Indiana, Ohio and Tennessee, a religious objection or poverty can be declared instead.
- Canvass Your ballot is counted Officials count the provisional ballot once your ID is recorded. Federal law requires states to offer a free way to check whether it counted.
Source: NCSL, Voter ID Laws, Table 2 (Voters Without ID), read September 29, 2026.
In non-strict states, the fallback is simpler. In Michigan, Idaho, Delaware, Louisiana and South Dakota you sign an affidavit. In Florida, Montana, Rhode Island and Washington you vote provisionally and officials check your signature. In Texas, a voter who cannot get a photo ID shows a document such as a utility bill and signs a Reasonable Impediment Declaration; our Texas voting guide walks through it.
Find your situation
General information, not legal advice. Your county election office has the final word on your state's rules.
I forgot my ID and I am at the polls.
- Do not leave. Ask whether you can sign an affidavit or vote provisionally.
- If you vote provisionally, ask for the deadline and place to show your ID.
- Bring your ID before the deadline, or call the Election Protection hotline at 866-OUR-VOTE for help.
I do not have any photo ID.
- Check the finder above: in many states a non-photo document or an affidavit is enough.
- In a photo ID state, ask your DMV or election office whether it offers free ID for voting. Texas and Wisconsin do.
- Ask whether your state accepts a religious objection or reasonable impediment declaration.
NCSL lists religious-objection exceptions in 10 states, including Indiana, Kansas, Mississippi and Nebraska.
I am voting for the first time and registered by mail.
- Bring a photo ID or a current utility bill, bank statement or government document with your name and address.
- If your state matched your license or Social Security number when you registered, you may not need it, but bring it anyway.
Help America Vote Act, 52 U.S.C. 21083(b).
My ID is on my phone.
- Bring the physical card. Georgia and Tennessee passed laws in 2025 that do not accept phone IDs, and other states differ.
Does California Require ID to Vote?
No, not for most voters. California is one of the 14 states that ask for no ID document at the polls. A first-time voter who registered by mail without a verified driver’s license or Social Security number may be asked for a photo ID or a document with their name and address, under the federal rule that applies in every state (NCSL; 52 U.S.C. 21083).
The same answer covers New York, Minnesota and Pennsylvania, which also ask most voters for no ID.
What the Research Says About Voter ID and Turnout
The research does not agree on whether ID laws lower turnout, and the studies that find no effect and a small effect used different states and years. A 2014 federal audit found turnout fell more in Kansas and Tennessee after their laws took effect. A 2021 nationwide study of strict ID laws from 2008 to 2018 found no drop for any group and no change in fraud.
Two studies of voter ID laws' effects
Percentage points are the change in the share of registered voters who voted.
The arguments on each side, as NCSL summarizes them: supporters say ID requirements can prevent in-person impersonation and increase public confidence in elections. Opponents say there is little fraud of this kind, that the burden restricts the right to vote, and that the laws add costs for election officials (NCSL).
Voter ID Changes in 2025 and 2026
States kept tightening ID rules in 2025 and 2026, mostly by narrowing which IDs count. Federal efforts to add proof-of-citizenship rules are tracked in the last two rows.
Voter ID Rules to Watch
As of September 29, 2026
- Louisiana SB 319 Law, takes effect July 1, 2027
Ends the affidavit option for voters without ID and adds passports and tribal IDs to the accepted list. (source)
- Oklahoma State Question 846 Law
Approved in 2026. Puts a proof-of-identity requirement in the state constitution. (source)
- Iowa HB 2501 Law
Enacted in 2026. Another voter can no longer vouch for a voter without ID. (source)
- New Hampshire HB 323 Law
Enacted in 2026. Student IDs no longer count. (source)
- West Virginia HB 3016 Law
Enacted in 2025. Photo ID now required; non-photo ID counted before. (source)
- Wisconsin photo ID amendment Law
Voters put the existing photo ID rule in the state constitution in 2025. (source)
- SAVE America Act (H.R. 7296) Proposal
Would require documentary proof of citizenship to register. Passed the House February 11, 2026. An attempt to attach it to a Senate bill failed 48-50 on June 4, 2026. Details on our SAVE Act page.
- Election rules order (EO 14248) Blocked by a court, three provisions, permanently
In LULAC v. Executive Office of the President, a federal court permanently blocked the proof-of-citizenship rule for the federal registration form on October 31, 2025, then two more provisions on January 30, 2026, holding that election rules belong to the states and Congress. (source)
Source: NCSL, Voter ID Laws, Recent State Actions; federal rows from our status records
Common Questions About Voter ID
Do you need an ID to vote in all states?
No. 36 states ask voters to show some form of ID at the polls. The other 14 states and Washington, D.C., check identity against registration records instead, usually by signature. First-time voters who registered by mail can be asked for ID anywhere under federal law.
What states can you vote without ID?
California, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania and Vermont, plus Washington, D.C., do not ask most voters for ID. In 22 more states, a voter without ID can still cast a ballot that counts, often by signing an affidavit.
Why do some states not require ID to vote?
Those states verify voters another way. You give your name and address, and officials check your signature or other details against your registration record, according to NCSL. Every voter who votes under false pretenses can face perjury charges. Opponents of ID laws argue that in-person impersonation is rare and that the rules burden eligible voters; supporters argue ID prevents impersonation and builds public confidence.
Does California require ID to vote?
No, not for most voters. California is one of the 14 states that ask for no ID document; identity is checked against registration records. Under federal law, a first-time voter who registered by mail without a verified driver’s license or Social Security number may be asked for ID or a document with name and address.
How many states require photo ID to vote?
24 states ask for a photo ID. In 10 of them the rule is strict: a voter without it votes provisionally and must bring ID to an election office within a few days for the ballot to count.
What happens if you forget your ID at the polls?
It depends on the state. In non-strict states you can sign an affidavit or vote a provisional ballot that is checked without further steps. In the 14 strict states you vote provisionally and must return with ID, by a deadline that runs from the next business day in Wyoming to the county canvass in North Carolina.
How do Amish voters vote without a photo ID?
Many states make an exception for people with a religious objection to being photographed, including Indiana, Kansas, Mississippi, Nebraska, New Hampshire, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Wisconsin. The voter usually signs an affidavit instead. Pennsylvania asks most voters for no ID at all.
What You Can Do
- Check your state’s list of accepted IDs before Election Day, using the finder above and your state election office.
- Make sure you are registered. Our voter registration guide has every state’s deadline.
- Help someone get an ID. Some states, including Texas and Wisconsin, offer free ID for voting; a ride to the office can decide whether someone votes.
- Know your fallback. Save the Election Protection number, 866-OUR-VOTE (866-687-8683), in case you are turned away.
- Learn the wider fight in our guides to voter suppression and the SAVE Act.