PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.Referred to the House Committee on House Administration.
Congressional Research Service
Version 00 · Introduced in House · Jan 3, 2025
Securing our Elections Act of 2025
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 photo identification.
Showing the opening paragraphs of the official summary.
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.
The bill also requires a state to provide an individual with a valid photo identification without charge if that individual presents an affidavit attesting to an inability to afford or otherwise obtain a valid photo identification.
People & committees
Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA-1] · R–PA
Legislative record
A procedural vote is different from passage. Passage in one chamber does not establish enactment. Explore the glossary.
Referred to the House Committee on House Administration.
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Primary sources
Text links open the official source. We also preserved the text version used in the PlainBill explanation below.
No related bills are listed in this snapshot. This does not establish whether the proposal has appeared in earlier Congresses.
Source last updated: Feb 24, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
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Analyze H.R.156 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.
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PlainBill explanation
Based on the full Introduced in House · 2025-01-03 text. This explanation has not received human editorial review. This overview describes the proposal’s major provisions; it does not establish what its real-world effects would be.
The proposed bill would require people voting in federal elections to show photo identification in person or submit a copy when voting remotely, with specified alternatives and exceptions. States would have to provide free identification to qualifying people and, where practical, free access to equipment for copying identification. Election officials would also have to notify voter registration applicants about the requirements. The requirements would apply to federal elections held in 2026 and later.
the appropriate State or local election official may not provide a ballot for an election for Federal office to an individual who desires to vote in person unless the individual presents to the official a valid photo identification.
unless the individual submits with the ballot— (i) a copy of a valid photo identification; or (ii) the last four digits of the individual’s Social Security number and an affidavit developed and made available to the individual by the State attesting that the individual is unable to obtain a copy of a valid photo identification after making reasonable efforts to obtain such a copy.
the official shall provide the individual with a valid photo identification under this subsection without charge to the individual.
shall ensure, to the extent practicable, public access to a digital imaging device
for the purpose of allowing individuals to use such a device at no cost to the individual to make a copy of a valid photo identification.
at the time an individual applies to register to vote in elections for Federal office in the State, the appropriate State or local election official notifies the individual of the photo identification requirements of this section.
This section and the amendments made by this section shall apply with respect to elections for Federal office held in 2026 or any succeeding year.
Section 1 names the proposal the Securing our Elections Act of 2025.
This Act may be cited as the Securing our Elections Act of 2025.
Section 2 presents Congress's stated rationale: protecting voting from interference and fraud and strengthening voter identity checks. These are proposed legislative findings, not evidence that the bill would achieve those effects.
Congress finds the following:
The right to vote is a crucial aspect of American citizenship and must be protected from any potential interference, abuse, and fraud.
The passage of the Help America Vote Act of 2002 improved and standardized State and local governments’ administration of Federal elections, but lacked strong provisions to validate a voter’s identity prior to their voting.
Section 3 would add photo identification requirements to the Help America Vote Act of 2002. For in-person federal voting, election officials could not provide a ballot without valid photo identification, subject to the provisional-ballot exception.
Title III of the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (52 U.S.C. 21081 et seq.) is amended by inserting after section 303 the following new section: 303A. Photo identification requirements
Notwithstanding any other provision of law and except as provided in subparagraph (B), the appropriate State or local election official may not provide a ballot for an election for Federal office to an individual who desires to vote in person unless the individual presents to the official a valid photo identification.
An in-person voter without the required identification would be allowed to cast a provisional ballot—a ballot whose eligibility is checked afterward. Within three days of casting it, the voter would have to present the required identification or a state-developed affidavit stating that a religious objection to being photographed explains why they lack it. Meeting that requirement would not itself establish every other condition of eligibility.
If an individual does not present the identification required under subparagraph (A), the individual shall be permitted to cast a provisional ballot with respect to the election under section 302(a), except that the appropriate State or local election official may not make a determination under section 302(a)(4) that the individual is eligible under State law to vote in the election unless, not later than 3 days after casting the provisional ballot, the individual presents to the official— (I) the identification required under subparagraph (A); or (II) an affidavit developed and made available to the individual by the State attesting that the individual does not possess the identification required under subparagraph (A) because the individual has a religious objection to being photographed.
The new provisional-ballot rule would not apply when a provisional ballot is cast for a reason other than failure to present the required identification.
Nothing in clause (i) may be construed to apply to the casting of a provisional ballot pursuant to section 302(a) or any State law for reasons other than the failure to present the identification required under subparagraph (A).
For federal ballots cast other than in person, voters generally would have to submit a copy of valid photo identification. Alternatively, they could submit the last four digits of their Social Security number and a state-developed affidavit stating that reasonable efforts had not enabled them to obtain a copy.
Notwithstanding any other provision of law and except as provided in subparagraph (B), the appropriate State or local election official may not accept any ballot for an election for Federal office provided by an individual who votes other than in person unless the individual submits with the ballot— (i) a copy of a valid photo identification; or (ii) the last four digits of the individual’s Social Security number and an affidavit developed and made available to the individual by the State attesting that the individual is unable to obtain a copy of a valid photo identification after making reasonable efforts to obtain such a copy.
The remote-voting documentation requirement would not apply to qualifying absent uniformed services voters who are outside the United States on election day because of active duty or service. Eligibility uses an existing statutory definition but excludes people described in its section 107(1)(C); that definition is not reproduced in the bundle.
Subparagraph (A) does not apply with respect to a ballot provided by an absent uniformed services voter who, by reason of active duty or service, is absent from the United States on the date of the election involved. In this subparagraph, the term absent uniformed services voter has the meaning given such term in section 107(1) of the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (52 U.S.C. 20310(1)), other than an individual described in section 107(1)(C) of such Act.
A designated state official would have to provide valid photo identification free to a person who submits a state-developed affidavit stating either that they cannot pay the associated costs or that they otherwise cannot obtain identification after reasonable efforts.
If an individual presents a State official at the appropriate State agency or department designated by the State with an affidavit developed and made available to the individual by the State attesting that the individual is unable to pay the costs associated with obtaining a valid photo identification under this section, or attesting that the individual is otherwise unable to obtain a valid photo identification under this section after making reasonable efforts to obtain such an identification, the official shall provide the individual with a valid photo identification under this subsection without charge to the individual.
State or local officials would have to ensure, where practical, free public access to equipment for copying valid photo identification in government buildings, including courts, libraries and police stations.
the appropriate State or local government official of the State shall ensure, to the extent practicable, public access to a digital imaging device, which shall include a printer, copier, image scanner, or multifunction machine, at State and local government buildings in the State, including courts, libraries, and police stations, for the purpose of allowing individuals to use such a device at no cost to the individual to make a copy of a valid photo identification.
Accepted identification would include valid state driver's licenses and identification cards with a photo and expiration date, valid U.S. passports, and valid military identification. States could also specify other government-issued identification as valid photo identification.
(1) A valid State-issued motor vehicle driver’s license that includes a photo of the individual and an expiration date. (2) A valid State-issued identification card that includes a photo of the individual and an expiration date. (3) A valid United States passport for the individual. (4) A valid military identification for the individual. (5) Any other form of government-issued identification that the State may specify as a valid photo identification for purposes of this subsection.
States would have to notify applicants of the photo identification requirements when they apply to register for federal elections. Online systems would have to give the notice before applicants complete registration.
Each State shall ensure that, at the time an individual applies to register to vote in elections for Federal office in the State, the appropriate State or local election official notifies the individual of the photo identification requirements of this section.
the online voter registration system notifies the individual of the photo identification requirements of this section before the individual completes the online registration process.
A state with a photo identification law already in effect at enactment that meets or exceeds the proposed requirements could obtain recognition that it complies, provided its law remains in effect. The state would have to request that recognition and provide information to the Attorney General. Recognition would follow either approval or the absence of a determination within 180 days.
If, as of the date of the enactment of this section, a State has in effect a law that satisfies or exceeds the requirements of this section for an individual to provide a photo identification as a condition of casting a ballot in elections for Federal office held in the State and the law remains in effect on and after the effective date of this section, the State shall be considered to meet the requirements of this section if— (1) the State submits a request to the Attorney General and provides such information as the Attorney General may consider necessary to determine that the State has in effect such a law and that the law remains in effect; and (2) the Attorney General— (A) approves the request; or (B) fails to issue a determination with respect to the request during the 180-day period that begins on the date the State submits such request.
The bill would add October 1, 2025, to the existing statutory schedule for Election Assistance Commission recommendations concerning the new requirements. It would also add section 303A to the Help America Vote Act's enforcement provision. The underlying guidance and enforcement provisions are not reproduced.
Conforming amendment relating to voluntary guidance by Election Assistance Commission Section 311(b) of such Act (52 U.S.C. 21101(b)) is amended
in the case of the recommendations with respect to section 303A, October 1, 2025.
Conforming amendment relating to enforcement Section 401 of such Act (52 U.S.C. 21111) is amended by striking 303, and 304 and inserting 303, 303A, and 304.
The bill would delete paragraphs (1) through (3) of existing section 303(b), which it describes as repealing existing photo identification requirements for certain voters. It would also update related headings, numbering and references. The deleted provisions are not supplied, so their precise requirements cannot be compared with the proposal.
Conforming amendments relating to repeal of existing photo identification requirements for certain voters
(A) in the heading, by striking and requirements for voters who register by mail; (B) in the heading of subsection (b), by striking for Voters Who Register by Mail and inserting for Mail-In Registration Forms; (C) in subsection (b), by striking paragraphs (1) through (3) and redesignating paragraphs (4) and (5) as paragraphs (1) and (2), respectively; and (D) in subsection (c), by striking subsections (a)(5)(A)(i)(II) and (b)(3)(B)(i)(II) and inserting subsection (a)(5)(A)(i)(II).
The proposed changes would apply to federal elections held in 2026 and every succeeding year, with no ending year specified.
This section and the amendments made by this section shall apply with respect to elections for Federal office held in 2026 or any succeeding year.
The supplied official-actions snapshot, updated February 24, 2025, records introduction in the House and referral to the House Committee on House Administration on January 3, 2025. It does not establish what happened afterward.
Source snapshot updated 2025-02-24T20:35:41Z. 2025-01-03: Referred to the House Committee on House Administration. 2025-01-03: Introduced in House
A closer look
Reviewed version: Introduced in House · 2025-01-03. These findings describe provisions and who may benefit; they are not judgments of waste, corruption, or motive.
This review covers the supplied bill text. “None identified” does not rule out provisions in later versions or accompanying reports and disclosures.
Provisions outside the bill’s main subject, or policy changes attached to appropriations.
None identified in the reviewed text
No unrelated provision was identified in the complete supplied introduced text. This conclusion is limited to that version and does not establish the contents or attachment history of other versions or accompanying materials.
Spending directed to particular recipients or places outside ordinary competitive or formula-based allocation.
None identified in the reviewed text
No congressionally directed spending for particular recipients or places was identified in the complete supplied introduced text. This conclusion is limited to that version; formal earmark disclosures and accompanying materials are not supplied.
Narrow exceptions, exemptions, or preferential treatment that warrant a closer look.
Findings to examine
The supplied text contains narrow exceptions and a special compliance pathway within the main identification policy. Their classification does not imply improper purpose.
Voters who lack photo identification because of a religious objection to being photographed would have a specific exception: they could submit a state-developed affidavit within three days after casting a provisional ballot instead of presenting the required identification.
not later than 3 days after casting the provisional ballot, the individual presents to the official— (I) the identification required under subparagraph (A); or (II) an affidavit developed and made available to the individual by the State attesting that the individual does not possess the identification required under subparagraph (A) because the individual has a religious objection to being photographed.
Qualifying absent uniformed services voters outside the United States because of active duty or service on election day would be exempt from the remote-voting documentation requirement. The exception excludes individuals described in the referenced statute's section 107(1)(C).
Subparagraph (A) does not apply with respect to a ballot provided by an absent uniformed services voter who, by reason of active duty or service, is absent from the United States on the date of the election involved. In this subparagraph, the term absent uniformed services voter has the meaning given such term in section 107(1) of the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (52 U.S.C. 20310(1)), other than an individual described in section 107(1)(C) of such Act.
States with qualifying identification laws already in effect at enactment would receive a special route to being deemed compliant. If their laws remain in effect and they submit the required request and information, either Attorney General approval or 180 days without a determination would suffice.
If, as of the date of the enactment of this section, a State has in effect a law that satisfies or exceeds the requirements of this section for an individual to provide a photo identification as a condition of casting a ballot in elections for Federal office held in the State and the law remains in effect on and after the effective date of this section, the State shall be considered to meet the requirements of this section if— (1) the State submits a request to the Attorney General and provides such information as the Attorney General may consider necessary to determine that the State has in effect such a law and that the law remains in effect; and (2) the Attorney General— (A) approves the request; or (B) fails to issue a determination with respect to the request during the 180-day period that begins on the date the State submits such request.
Full text preserved for this analysis. Legislative record snapshot: Feb 24, 2025. How PlainBill uses AI