What This Bill Does
H.R. 9368, the "Voter ID Act," would amend the Help America Vote Act of 2002 to require photo identification to cast a ballot in elections for federal office. In-person voters would generally have to show a valid physical photo ID, while people voting by mail or other non-in-person methods would have to include a copy of photo ID or, in some cases, the last four digits of their Social Security number plus an affidavit. The bill also creates grants to help states and tribal governments provide certain IDs without charge to eligible people who cannot afford the fee, and it requires election officials to notify registration applicants about the ID rules.
- Requires a valid physical photo ID to receive an in-person ballot in federal elections.
- Allows a provisional ballot if the voter lacks ID, but counting it requires ID or a religious-objection affidavit within 3 days.
- Mail and other non-in-person ballots generally need either a photo ID copy or the last 4 digits of Social Security number plus an affidavit.
- Creates grants for states and tribal governments that issue certain IDs free of charge to eligible people who cannot afford the fee.
- Requires states to notify voter-registration applicants, including online applicants before completion, about the photo ID rules.
Who This Bill Affects
If you are a voter in federal elections, this bill would likely require you to show a valid photo ID when voting in person, and to attach ID-related documentation if you vote by mail or another non-in-person method. If you do not have the required ID, the bill gives you a provisional ballot option, but it would only count if you present the ID or a religious-objection affidavit within 3 days. The bill also could help some people by allowing free IDs for eligible low-income applicants and free copying/scanning access in state and local government buildings.
See how this bill affects you — sign in for a personalized analysisWho Supports & Opposes This
- Election integrity advocates They are likely to argue that requiring photo ID for federal elections creates a clearer, more uniform identity check and can bolster public confidence that each ballot is tied to a real eligible voter.
- State officials and poll administrators Some may support the bill because it standardizes documentation rules and gives states a defined framework for provisional ballots, notices to applicants, and access to copying equipment for ID documents.
- Taxpayers concerned about election administration costs Supporters may say the bill pairs the new requirement with targeted grants for free IDs and practical access to scanners and copiers, instead of leaving all compliance costs to individual voters.
- Voting-rights advocates They are likely to argue that the bill adds a new hurdle for eligible voters, especially those who do not already have a qualifying photo ID or who have trouble obtaining copies and visiting government buildings during business hours.
- Low-income voters and some seniors Even with a fee-waiver grant program, the bill can still impose time, travel, and paperwork burdens on people who cannot easily assemble the required documents or make a copy of their ID.
- Mail voters and election access advocates They may object that the bill applies documentation requirements to non-in-person voting and could cause ballots to be rejected if the required copy, Social Security digits, or affidavit are missing or incomplete.
Key Implications
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““may not provide a ballot ... unless the individual presents ... a valid physical photo identification””
This turns photo ID into a condition for getting an in-person ballot in federal elections, rather than a backup verification step. Voters who arrive without the specified ID would have to use the provisional-ballot process.
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““may not accept any ballot ... unless the individual submits ... a copy of a valid photo identification””
For mail and other non-in-person voting, the bill adds a documentation requirement that could affect how ballots are completed and returned. Missing paperwork could lead to a ballot not being accepted.
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““the individual shall be permitted to cast a provisional ballot””
The bill does not fully bar voting for people without ID at the polling place, but it makes the ballot conditional. The ballot only becomes eligible for counting if the voter later meets the bill’s follow-up requirements.
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““make grants to each State” and “make grants to each Tribal government””
The bill pairs the new voting requirements with funding support for free IDs in some cases. That matters because it creates a federal incentive structure for states and tribal governments that issue qualifying identification without charge.
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““public access to a digital imaging device ... at State and local government buildings””
This provision is designed to make it easier and cheaper to copy a photo ID for voting purposes. In practice, it could matter most for people who do not own a scanner or printer at home.
Latest Status
June 18, 2026
Referred to the House Committee on House Administration.
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Ask AI about this billData sourced from api.congress.gov.