U.S. Rep. Bryan Steil, R-Wis., introduced legislation on Thursday that would require voters to present government-issued photo identification when voting in federal elections.
The Voter ID Act, introduced by the chairman of the House Administration Committee, would apply to all federal elections. Absentee and mail-in voters could submit a copy of their photo ID with their ballot. Acceptable identification includes driver’s licenses, passports, and military IDs.
“Americans should be confident their elections are run with integrity — voter ID is a commonsense measure to restore trust in our elections,” Steil said in a statement. “This legislation will help improve voter confidence and strengthen election integrity nationwide.”
The bill would establish a grant program, managed by the Election Assistance Commission, to reimburse state and tribal governments for providing free photo IDs to eligible voters who cannot afford them. Voters without ID on Election Day could still cast a provisional ballot.
Photo identification requirements for voting have broad public support. A Pew Research Center survey released in August 2025 found that 83% of Americans, including 71% of Democrats, support requiring all voters to present government-issued photo ID.
The full text of the Voter ID Act is available on Representative Steil’s congressional website.
