Public Law 109-2005 requires Indiana residents to present photo ID before casting a ballot at the polls on Election Day. The photo ID must meet 4 criteria to be acceptable for voting purposes. It must:
(1) Display the voter’s photo.
(2) Display the voter’s name, and the name must conform with the voter registration record.
(3) Display an expiration date and either be current or have expired sometime after the date of the last general election.
(4) Be issued by the State of Indiana or the U.S. government.
In most cases, an Indiana driver’s license, Indiana photo ID card, U.S. Passport, or Military ID is sufficient. A student ID from an Indiana state school may only be used if it meets all of the 4 criteria specified above. For more information on the types of identification or documents required to receive appropriate identification, please visit www.photoid.in.gov.
The law requires that the Bureau of Motor Vehicles provide free photo identification to citizens who do not already have a valid photo ID that would meet the requirements.
Exceptions:
Persons with limited incomes, those with religious objections, and those who forget to bring adequate identification to the polls may cast an in-person ballot without photo identification as long as they submit an affidavit at the clerk’s office within 10 days. Additionally, voters can vote absentee-in-person at the county election office before Election Day, and while there, affirm that they have limited income or religious objection. Persons voting absentee do not provide a copy of their photo ID.
A voter who is a resident at a state-licensed facility that serves as his or her polling place may claim an exemption to the photo ID law at the polls on Election Day. Also, seniors 65 and older are automatically allowed to absentee vote.
