What happens if I do not present ID at my polling place?

If and how you need to prove your identity so your ballot will count is confusing, at best, for millions  of Americans. Most at risk are the 25-40 million voters who do not have a government-issued photo ID, especially those who do not have a current driver’s license in their state.

Underlying this confusion are two factors:

• Voter ID is different from, and in addition to, voter registration.
• The types of ID that are accepted to register to vote (voter registration ID) are different from each state’s list of the types of ID that are valid when voting in person or by mail (voter ID).

Voter registration ID requirements are primarily set by the federal government under the Help America Vote Act (HAVA). If your state cannot match your driver’s license (or state ID) number or the last four digits of your Social Security number to official records, you must provide an ID document before your in-person or by-mail ballot counts (except for North Dakota, where you do not need to register).

There may be exceptions or exemptions to your state’s voter ID law if you sign a sworn statement. Examples include if you are indigent, you have a religious objection to being photographed, you live in state-licensed facility that serves as your precinct’s polling place, or because of a natural disaster.

If you have any questions about how to ensure your ballot is counted, or need 100% free help, we have voter ID experts available.

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Options for in-person voters without ID in each state

CA, IL, ME, MD, MN, NE, NV, NJ, NM, NY, NC, OR, VT, WY	No voter ID required for registered voters
DC, MA	No voter ID required but you must submit your voter registration ID, per HAVA, within a specified time.
DE, ID	If you do not present an acceptable ID when you vote in person, you can vote a regular ballot by signing a document.
SD	If you do not present an acceptable ID when you vote in person, you can vote a regular ballot if your signature on an affidavit matches your signature on file.
MI	If you do not present an acceptable ID when you vote in person, you can vote a regular ballot if your signature on an affidavit matches your signature on file; however, if you choose to vote a provisional ballot, you must submit ID within a specified time.
VA	If you do not present an acceptable ID when you vote in person, you can vote a regular ballot by signing a statement of identity; alternatively, if you choose to vote a provisional ballot, you must submit ID or the signed identity statement within a specified time.
MT	If you do not present an acceptable ID when you vote in person, you can vote a regular ballot by signing a document that’s verified; otherwise, in order for your provisional ballot to count, you must submit proof of eligibility within a specified time.
NH	If you do not present an acceptable ID when you vote in person, you can vote a regular ballot by signing a document and having your photo taken; after the election, the state will mail a request, seeking confirmation that you voted.
HI	If you do not present an acceptable ID when you vote in person, you can vote a regular ballot if your recited information matches the poll book; otherwise, you must sign an affirmation for your provisional ballot to count.
SC, TX	If you do not present an acceptable ID when you vote in person, you can vote a regular ballot if you sign a Reasonable Impediment Declaration plus present a backup document; or if you vote a provisional ballot, you must submit ID within a specified time.
AZ, GA, IN, KS, MS, ND, UT, WI	If you do not present an acceptable ID when you vote in person, you must submit ID within a specified period of time after the election for your provisional-type ballot to count.
AL, OK, TN	If you do not present an acceptable ID when you vote in person, you must submit ID as well as sign a statement within a specified time.
OH	If you do not present an acceptable ID when you vote in person, you must submit ID within a specified time if you do not provide your driver’s license or state ID number or the last four digits of your Social Security number.
CT	If you do not present an acceptable ID when you vote in person, you must sign an affirmation for your provisional ballot to count.
PA	If you are a first-time voter in your precinct and do not present an acceptable ID when you vote in person, you must vote a provisional ballot, which will count if you are eligible to vote in the election district.
AK, CO, LA	If you do not present an acceptable ID when you vote in person, you must sign a document, which will determine if your provisional ballot will be counted.
AR	If you do not present an acceptable ID when you vote in person, you must sign a document, which will determine if your provisional ballot will be counted, although you can also submit qualifying ID within a specified period of time.
MO	If you do not present an acceptable ID when you vote in person, you must vote a provisional ballot, which will count if your ballot signature matches your voter registry.
WA	If you do not present an acceptable ID when you vote in person, you must vote a provisional ballot, which will count if your ballot declaration signature matches the signature on your voter registration record.
RI, WV	If you do not present an acceptable ID when you vote in person, you must vote a provisional ballot, which will count if your ballot signature matches your voter registration record; plus you may submit ID within a specified time.
FL	If you do not present an acceptable ID when you vote in person, you must vote a provisional ballot, which will be counted if your signature matches your signature on file; if your signature is not verified, you must submit an affidavit within a specified time.
IA	If you do not present an acceptable ID when you vote in person and no other registered voter in the precinct attests to your identity, you must submit ID within a specified time for your provisional ballot to be counted.
KY	If you do not present an acceptable ID when you vote in person and no election official with whom you have a personal acquaintance certifies your identity and signs an affirmation, you must sign an affirmation for your provisional ballot to count (which will be only for federal offices).