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NewsKPBS Public MediaAugust 17, 2026San Diego

New Hampshire, Indiana, and Florida restrict student IDs for voter verification

Several states have enacted or reinstated laws that prohibit the use of student identification cards to verify identity at polling places. These measures require affected voters to present alternative forms of identification, such as a state-issued driver's license or U.S. passport, to cast a ballot.

voting rightselectionsstudent IDvoter identificationstate legislation
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Why It Matters

Eligible voters who rely on student IDs for identification must now obtain alternative government-issued documents to participate in elections, a process that can involve significant time and administrative hurdles.

Key Facts

  • New Hampshire enacted a ban on using student IDs for voter verification effective June 2024.
  • A federal appeals court reinstated Indiana's ban on student IDs for voting in April 2024.
  • Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed legislation banning student IDs for voter verification, effective in 2027.
  • The Coalition for Open Democracy filed a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the New Hampshire law.
  • U.S. District Judge Richard Young previously ruled Indiana's ban likely unconstitutional, though that ruling is currently paused.
  • In Georgia, only student IDs from public institutions are accepted for voting, excluding seven of the state's 10 historically Black colleges and universities.
  • North Carolina requires colleges to obtain state board of elections approval before their student IDs are accepted for voting.
  • There is no documented evidence of widespread voter fraud involving the use of student IDs.
  • Obtaining alternative state-issued identification can take months due to the need for supporting documents like birth certificates.

Who's Mentioned

locationFlorida“State with upcoming student ID ban”organizationFair Elections Center“Voting rights group”personBlake Doriot“Indiana State Senator and sponsor of the student ID ban”organizationCoalition for Open Democracy“Voter advocacy group filing lawsuit in New Hampshire”locationIndiana“State with reinstated student ID ban”organizationVoteRiders“Advocacy group helping people obtain IDs”personRichard Young“U.S. District Judge”personDonald Trump“Former President”locationNew Hampshire“State with active student ID ban”personRon DeSantis“Governor of Florida”locationDartmouth College“University in New Hampshire”personLia Symer“Dartmouth College student and voting advocate”