S. 4155 · Where this bill is now
In committee
Introduced in the Senate, Mar 19, 2026
What this bill does
In plain words · AI-written from the official summaryPhoto ID required for voting in federal elections
This bill would require voters to show a valid photo identification in order to receive a ballot for federal elections. If someone doesn't have ID at the polling place, they could cast a provisional ballot instead, but election officials would only count it if the person shows the required ID within three days or provides an affidavit explaining a religious objection to being photographed. For voting by mail or other methods outside the polling place, voters would need to submit a copy of their photo ID or provide the last four digits of their Social Security number along with a signed statement that they tried but couldn't get ID.
How it affects you
If you vote in federal elections, you would need to bring a photo ID to the polls or include ID information with any mail-in ballot. The requirement would not apply to overseas military voters or certain disabled or elderly voters. For most other voters, this would change how you prepare for voting and what you need to bring or submit with your ballot.
Read the official summary (Introduced in Senate, Mar 19, 2026)
This bill establishes certain photo identification requirements for voting in federal elections.
Specifically, the bill prohibits a state or local election official from providing a ballot for a federal election to an individual who does not present valid physical photo identification.
Next, the bill outlines the availability of provisional ballots and the requirements for counting those ballots. In particular, an individual who does not present a valid photo identification must be permitted to cast a provisional ballot. However, an election official may not determine that the individual is eligible under state law to vote in the election unless, not later than three days after casting the provisional ballot, the individual presents (1) the identification required, or (2) an affidavit attesting that the individual does not possess the identification because of a religious objection to being photographed.
An election official may not allow for voting methods other than in-person voting unless the individual submits the ballot with (1) a copy of their photo identification, or (2) the last four digits of their Social Security number with an affidavit attesting that the individual is unable to obtain a copy of a valid photo identification after making reasonable efforts to obtain a copy. This prohibition shall not apply to overseas military voters and certain disabled or elderly voters.
Written by AI (Claude) using only the official summary by the Congressional Research Service, the Library of Congress’s nonpartisan research staff. It can miss nuance, so check the official summary and the bill text for details.
2nd SessionS. 4155
A BILL
A bill to require voters to provide photo identification as a condition of casting a ballot, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen. Jon Husted (R-OH) · Introduced Mar 19, 2026 · Government Operations and Politics · 1 version of the text
Sources: Congress.gov actions and votes · bill text from GovInfo · latest official action Mar 19, 2026: “Read twice and referred to the Committee on Rules and Administration.”