Voter ID: What to Bring in 2026
Published by Midterm Results Live · · Voting guide
Voting rules and dates can change. Confirm details with the official state or local election office linked in this guide.
There is no single voter ID list that applies everywhere. Vote.gov explains that each state and territory sets its own voter ID rules, and the requirement can depend on how you vote. Check your state's official election office before you leave so you know whether identification is needed, which forms are accepted, and what options exist if you do not have one.
Get the official answer for your state
- Open the U.S. Election Assistance Commission's state directory and select your state or territory.
- Use the official state election website linked there. Review its voter ID instructions for your voting method and location.
- If the instructions are unclear, contact your local election office through the official directory and ask what applies to your situation.
The EAC directs voters to state and local election offices for practical voting requirements. Our state election guides can help you find the contests covered here, but the state's election office provides the official ID rules.
What about a voter registration card?
Vote.gov says you do not need a voter registration card to vote. That does not answer whether another kind of identification is required where you live. Check your state's official rules for accepted documents and any alternatives.
Common questions
Do I need identification to vote?
Each state and territory sets its own voter ID rules. Check your state's official requirements for your voting method before you go.
Which identification can I use?
Accepted forms depend on the state. Use the official state election website linked from the EAC directory for its current list and instructions.
What if I do not have one of the listed IDs?
Contact your local election office using the official state directory and ask what options apply to you. Do not assume another state's alternative applies.
Do I need my voter registration card?
Vote.gov says you do not need a voter registration card to vote, though your state may require another form of identification. Check the state's official rules.