Federal voters would generally need photo ID to cast ballots

Election workers would require accepted physical photo ID before giving in-person federal voters a regular ballot. Accepted IDs would be valid state driver's licenses, state motor vehicle agency ID cards, U.S. passports, military photo IDs, or Tribal photo IDs. State and Tribal IDs would need photos and expiration dates. Military photo IDs would include cards issued by the Defense Department or Veterans Affairs.

Voters who cast a provisional ballot because they lack ID would need to provide follow-up documents before officials could find them eligible. Voters could present accepted ID or a state-provided sworn statement that they lack it because they object to being photographed for religious reasons. This requirement would not apply to provisional ballots cast for other reasons. The deadline would be no later than three days after casting the provisional ballot.

Election workers would accept federal ballots cast other than in person only with the required documents, unless an exception applies. Exceptions would cover absent uniformed services voters and people entitled to vote other than in person under a specific federal voting-access provision. Voters would submit a valid photo ID copy with their ballot. If reasonable efforts to obtain a copy fail, voters could instead submit their last four Social Security number digits and a state-provided sworn statement explaining that failure.

State and local officials would provide practical access to free ID copying and notify federal voter registration applicants about the ID rules. The equipment would let people copy accepted photo IDs. Free access to copying equipment at government buildings would be required to the extent practical. Online registration systems would give notice before applicants complete registration. These duties would take effect one day after enactment.