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Photo ID Law

Public Law 109-2005 requires Indiana residents to present a government-issued photo ID before casting a ballot at the polls on Election Day.

Under Indiana Code 3-5-2-40.5, which defines "proof of identification", your photo ID must meet 4 criteria to be acceptable for voting purposes. It Must:

1. Display your photo
2. Display your name, and the name must conform to your voter registration record. Conform does not mean identical. Below are examples of names that would conform to "Robert John Crew"

  • Robert John Crew
  • Robert J. Crew
  • Robert Crew
  • R. John Crew
  • R. J. Crew
  • Bob John Crew
  • Bob J. Crew
  • Bob Crew
  • John Crew
  • J. Crew
  1. Display an expiration date and either be current or have expired sometime after the date of the last General Election (November 8, 2022)
    NOTE: An ID issued by the US Department of Defense, a branch of the uniformed services, the Merchant Marine, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (or Veterans Administration), the Indiana National Guard, or a Native American Indian tribe or band recognized by the United States government is not required to have an expiration date, or may state that the document has an "Indefinite" expiration date.
  2. Be issued by the State of Indiana or the U.S. government

In most cases, an Indiana driver's license, Indiana photo ID card, Military ID, or U.S. Passport is sufficient.

A student ID from an Indiana State school may only be used if it meets all of the 4 criteria specified above. A student ID from a private institution may not be used for voting purposes. For more information on College Students click here.

If you are unable or unwilling to present an ID meeting these requirements, you may cast a provisional ballot. If you cast a provisional ballot, you have until noon 10 days after the election to follow up with the county election board and either provide the necessary documentation or affirm one of the law’s exemptions applies to you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Learn about BMV election day services and getting an photo ID here: https://www.in.gov/bmv/branch-locations-and-hours/bmv-branch-map/election-hours-and-services/.