Sponsor
Jon Husted
Senator · R-OH
Senator · R-OH
The bill expands some practical access measures and exemptions while clarifying ID rules, but it also creates new verification paperwork and a short cure window that could still disenfranchise voters and impose costs on governments.
Voters who show up without a qualifying photo ID can cast a provisional in‑person ballot and have a short window to validate it, preserving a path to have their vote counted.
Absent uniformed services voters and voters protected by accessibility law are exempted from non‑in‑person photo ID rules, preserving remote voting options for service members and voters with disabilities.
States must provide free public access to devices to copy photo IDs at government buildings, helping people without home printers or scanners obtain required ID copies.
People without qualifying photo ID risk having in‑person ballots rejected and face a short 3‑day cure deadline (or must file a religious affidavit), a combination that could practically disenfranchise low‑income voters, students, and people with disabilities who cannot meet the deadline.
Remote/absentee voters must submit a photo ID copy or last‑4 SSN plus an affidavit, adding paperwork that could delay processing or lead to disqualification of mailed ballots.
States and localities face new administrative and cost burdens to install free ID‑copying devices at public buildings and implement the verification and cure processes, which will fall on governments and taxpayers.
Based on analysis of 1 section of legislative text.
Requires a physical photo ID for in‑person Federal ballots and sets ID/document rules and cure procedures for provisional and non‑in‑person ballots.
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 people to show a valid physical photo ID to receive an in‑person ballot for Federal office, while allowing a provisional ballot that can be counted if the voter presents the photo ID or a State affidavit claiming a religious objection within three days. Sets ID and documentation rules for non‑in‑person ballots, requires States to provide no‑cost public access to devices for copying IDs where practicable, and updates Election Assistance Commission guidance deadlines to include the new requirements. Takes effect on enactment and applies to Federal elections held on or after that date. The measure includes limited exceptions (absent uniformed services voters and certain voters covered by the Voting Accessibility for the Elderly and Handicapped Act) and requires notification to voter registration applicants about the photo ID requirement.