Can You Use Your College Student ID To Vote? It Varies By State

Your student ID is the key to everything in college. It gets you into the library, your dorm, the dining hall, and a million other spots on campus. But with new laws on voter identification continuing to pop up, it’s less clear if it can get you to the polls. 

As the Nov. 3 midterm elections near, several states are passing laws that could change what forms of identification voters can use. This is in light of President Donald Trump’s push to overhaul voting laws and norms, making the voting process much more difficult for Americans. 

For college students, those rules can be particularly confusing. You might be registered to vote in the state where you attend school, but have an ID issued by the state where you grew up. Or maybe you’re registered to vote in your home state, but you’re not sure you can make it back in time for election day. And don’t get me started on those studying abroad! Now, with rules changing about whether a student ID is sufficient for voting, election rules have become even more murky for young voters. 

So, if you’re a college student planning to vote this fall, here’s what you need to know about voter ID laws in your state, how to find the most current rules regarding student IDs, and what to do if your campus ID doesn’t qualify.

So, can you use your student ID to vote? 

The short answer: It depends. 

Voter ID laws are set by individual states, meaning a student ID that gets you through the polls in one state may not work in another. And in some states, student IDs are not accepted at all.

And it’s not always a black-or-white answer. Some states explicitly accept student IDs as a form of voter identification, while others accept them only if they meet certain requirements, such as being issued by a particular type of school or containing specific information. Arizona, for example, allows voters to provide two forms of non-photo identification in certain circumstances instead of one form of photo ID. Other states have strict photo ID requirements.

It’s also important to keep an eye out for sudden rule changes. Indiana and New Hampshire, for example, recently changed their voter ID laws to prohibit the use of student IDs at the polls. In Indiana, this restriction exists even if the ID meets all requirements by state law for an acceptable form of identification. It’s currently being challenged in court, which is further proof of how quickly these laws can change. 

So, before election day, don’t bank on the fact that you could use your student ID last time, or that your friend used theirs to vote at a different school. Be sure to stay up to date on your state’s current requirements and make sure you know what you’ll need before heading to the polls.

How do I know if my state accepts student IDs for voting?

It’s more important now than ever to check the rules for your state close to election day. Campus Vote Project, a nonpartisan organization that works to increase student voting, tracks which states accept student IDs as voter identification. So, if you need a straightforward answer specifically about student IDs, that’s a good place to start. 

For even more voter ID information, official state and local election office websites should have the most current information about what identification is accepted and what voters can do if they don’t have it. 

Another great resource is “Can I Vote,” a website maintained by the National Association of Secretaries of State. The ACLU also keeps timely information on its website, and stresses the rights voters do have in each state, so you can head into the polls confident with your ability to vote.

If you’re still unsure, contact your local election office directly. And if you’re getting voting information from your college or a voting organization, make sure to verify the information online or with your local office to ensure it’s as accurate and up-to-date as possible.

What if my student ID isn’t accepted?

If your student ID isn’t an accepted form of voter identification, don’t assume you’re out of options. 

The rules for voters who don’t have the required ID vary by state. Some states allow voters to sign an affidavit confirming their identity, while others will ask you to bring a different form of identification. If you’re voting in the state where you currently live and go to school, bringing your driver’s license, state-issued ID, or a passport is usually sufficient. But, if you’re voting from out-of-state, you can also consider casting a mail-in ballot in your home state, assuming you have met the state’s voter ID laws there. 

The important thing is to know your state’s rules before you head to the polls. If you don’t have an accepted ID, check what alternatives are available and whether there are any deadlines for providing additional identification. 

And if you’re told at the polls that your student ID isn’t enough, ask what options are available to you. Poll workers are there to help and ensure that the day runs as smoothly as possible, so take advantage of their expertise if your student ID gets turned down. 

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