Summary#
This bill would add a federal photo ID rule for voting in elections for Federal office by changing the Help America Vote Act (HAVA). Its main change is to require voters to show a valid photo ID to vote in person, and to submit ID or other proof when voting by mail or other non‑in‑person methods. The bill also creates a federal grant program to pay for State and Tribal photo IDs for people who say they cannot afford the usual fee.
- Main change: in‑person voters must present a valid physical photo ID to receive a ballot; those who do not may cast a provisional ballot but must show ID or a religious‑objection affidavit within 3 days for that ballot to be counted.
- Non‑in‑person (for example, absentee) ballots must include a copy of a valid photo ID or the voter’s last four Social Security digits plus a sworn statement that they could not obtain an ID after reasonable efforts.
- The bill defines acceptable IDs: state driver’s licenses, state motor vehicle ID cards, U.S. passports, military IDs, and tribal government photo IDs.
- States must try to provide free public access to machines (printers/scanners/copiers) at government buildings so people can copy ID at no cost.
- The Election Assistance Commission (EAC) must issue guidance within 90 days, and a grant program would reimburse States and Tribal governments that issue photo IDs without charge to people who attest they cannot afford the fee.
What it means for you#
- Voters who vote in person: You must show a valid photo ID to receive a ballot. If you do not have one, you can cast a provisional ballot but then must present the ID or a sworn affidavit of a religious objection to being photographed within 3 days for that provisional ballot to be counted.
- Voters who vote by mail or otherwise not in person: Your ballot must include either a copy of a valid photo ID or the last four digits of your Social Security number plus a sworn statement that you tried but could not get an ID after reasonable efforts. Exceptions are made for certain uniformed service voters and some voters covered by older accessibility rules.
- People without money for an ID: States and Tribal governments that give IDs free to eligible people who swear they cannot afford the fee can get federal grants to cover costs.
- People who need to copy an ID: States must try, where practical, to give free public access to printers, scanners, or copiers at government buildings (courthouses, libraries, police stations) so people can make a copy to submit with a non‑in‑person ballot.
- New voter registrants: When you apply to register to vote (including online), the State must notify you about the new photo ID rules before you finish the registration.
- State and local election officials: You will need procedures to check IDs, accept and process provisional ballots and affidavits, and handle copies of IDs for absentee ballots.
Expenses#
No publicly available estimate of the bill’s cost is included in the bill text.
- The bill creates a grant program for States and Tribal governments to cover fees when they issue photo IDs free to people who say they cannot afford them. The bill does not specify funding amounts or a source.
- States and local election offices would likely face new administrative costs to check IDs, process provisional ballots and affidavits, run public‑access copying stations (or expand hours/locations), and update voter registration systems and materials.
- There could be costs for Tribal governments to issue IDs and apply for grants.
- The EAC must issue guidance within 90 days, which may require staff time but the bill does not estimate those costs.
- The bill does not provide a fiscal note, appropriation, or dollar amounts in the text.
Proponents' View#
The bill appears intended to increase confidence in election integrity and to ensure voters are who they claim to be. Possible arguments in favor, based on the bill text, include:
- The bill appears intended to standardize a photo ID requirement for Federal elections across States, rather than leaving rules entirely to each State.
- Providing grants to make State and Tribal photo IDs free for people who cannot afford them is intended to reduce cost barriers to obtaining IDs.
- Requiring public access to copying devices at government buildings is intended to help people who lack means to make a copy of a photo ID for non‑in‑person voting.
- Notifying registrants about the ID requirement aims to reduce confusion and last‑minute problems at the polls.
Opponents' View#
The bill’s design raises questions and possible concerns that follow from the text:
- One concern is that the bill could create barriers for eligible voters who do not have the listed photo IDs and who cannot obtain them quickly; the bill does not fully detail how many people would be affected.
- The 3‑day deadline to produce ID or a religious‑objection affidavit for a provisional ballot to be counted is short; it may be hard for some voters to meet that timeline.
- The rule for non‑in‑person ballots allows using the last four SSN digits plus an affidavit only when the voter says they could not obtain an ID after “reasonable efforts”; the bill does not define “reasonable efforts,” leaving uncertainty about how officials will apply the rule.
- The bill creates a grant program but sets no funding level or source in the text; it is unclear whether grants will fully cover State and Tribal costs to issue free IDs or to expand copying access.
- Privacy and administrative concerns may arise from collecting copies of IDs and SSN digits; the bill does not describe data protection or record‑keeping rules.
- It is unclear how the requirement will interact with existing State ID laws and existing voters’ rights processes; the bill delays start until 90 days after enactment but does not address transitional implementation details.