Sponsor
Jon Husted
Senator · R-OH
Senator · R-OH
The bill expands ways to avoid immediate turnaway at the polls (provisional ballots, free ID‑copying, exemptions, notice) but pairs those access measures with new ID paperwork and a tight three‑day cure deadline that could still disenfranchise vulnerable voters and burden state budgets.
Voters who show up without an acceptable photo ID can cast a provisional in‑person ballot and have a short window to validate it, reducing immediate turnaways at the polls.
Low‑income people and people with disabilities gain free public access to devices at government buildings to copy photo IDs, removing a practical barrier to obtaining ID copies.
Absent uniformed services voters and voters protected under accessibility law are exempted from non‑in‑person ID rules, preserving remote voting options for veterans and voters with disabilities.
Voters without a qualifying photo ID risk having their in‑person provisional ballots rejected unless they produce ID or a religious affidavit within three days — a short cure window that may be impractical for people with work, caregiving, transportation, or mobility constraints, risking disenfranchisement for low‑income people, students, and people with disabilities.
Remote (absentee/mailed) voters must submit a photo ID copy or the last four digits of their SSN plus an affidavit, adding paperwork that could delay processing or lead to disqualification of mailed ballots.
States and localities will incur administrative and implementation costs to install free ID‑copying devices at public buildings and to operate new verification and cure processes, imposing burdens on government budgets and taxpayers.
Based on analysis of 1 section of legislative text.
Requires a physical photo ID for in‑person Federal ballots, new ID/cure rules for provisional and non‑in‑person ballots, with limited exceptions and state duties to facilitate copying IDs.
Official title: Require voters to provide photo identification as a condition of casting a ballot, and for other purposes.
Introduced March 19, 2026 by Jon Husted · Last progress March 19, 2026
Requires a valid physical photo ID to receive an in‑person Federal election ballot, permits a provisional ballot that becomes countable only if the voter presents the photo ID or a sworn state affidavit claiming a religious objection to being photographed within 3 days, and imposes ID-verification rules for non‑in‑person ballots (copy of photo ID or last 4 of SSN plus state affidavit). States must, where practicable, provide free digital imaging access at government buildings to copy IDs and must notify registration applicants (including online applicants prior to completion) about the photo ID requirement. The rule takes effect on enactment and applies to Federal elections held on or after that date.