Dear John,

Part of what makes voter ID laws so difficult for voters is that they’re confusing and frequently changing. That confusion can lead to people being turned away at the polls because they didn’t bring the right ID, or just not showing up at all because they’re not sure what ID they need to bring — if any.

That’s what makes the education and outreach parts of our work at VoteRiders so critically important to our democracy. We want to be sure every eligible voter has the information they need to cast a ballot with confidence.

As VoteRiders’ new Legal Director, part of my job is to monitor the changes to voter ID laws in each state so that the information we’re providing to voters and partner organizations is always accurate. Since you are a valued supporter of VoteRiders, I thought I’d share some of my reflections and findings from my first few months on the job with you.

Since 2020 — and especially in 2023 so far — states have passed new or stricter voter ID laws at unprecedented rates.

In the first half of 2023, we’ve already seen eight states take action on voter ID:

Arizona now requires election officials to investigate the citizenship status of voters who use the federal voter registration application form without providing proof of citizenship.
In the wake of record-breaking youth voter registration across the nation, Idaho removed student IDs as an accepted form of voter ID, effective January 1, 2024. Idaho has also added a photo ID requirement for new voter registrations.
Indiana now requires those voting by mail to submit ID or identifying information with a mail ballot application.
Nebraska became the 10th state in the country to adopt a strict photo ID law. Under this law, voters must show a photo ID to vote in Nebraska in person or by mail unless they meet one of three exceptions.
New Hampshire now requires all in-person or mail voters who are registering for the first time and who are unable to prove their identity to cast an “affidavit ballot” on Election Day. This ballot is only counted if the voter submits proof of identity to the Secretary of State within seven days of the election.
North Carolina reinstated the state’s photo ID law in May, which had been blocked by the courts in 2019 for being racially discriminatory. North Carolina will now be required to show photo ID beginning with upcoming municipal elections this fall.
Ohio’s new photo ID law is among the most onerous in the nation because it allows only four types of unexpired ID to vote. It’s already in effect ahead of a critical special election coming up on August 8.
Wyoming now requires first-time voters and voters who request a mail ballot in person to present acceptable ID.

These new laws follow those enacted in nine states in 2021 and 2022 in Arkansas, Georgia, Florida, Iowa, Missouri, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Texas, and Utah. The 2022 midterm elections gave us a preview of how these new voter ID laws cause confusion and silence voters.

So what does this all mean? For tens of millions of voters who plan to cast a ballot in 2024, the voter ID rules in their state will have changed since they last voted in 2020.

It’s now harder, more confusing, and more expensive to exercise the right to vote due to the increasing number of new and strict voter ID laws. For voters who do not have an acceptable ID for voting in their state, they must now expend time and, in many cases, money to acquire one of the accepted forms of ID. This burden will fall especially heavily on voters who do not have transportation to an ID-issuing office, have a disability, or cannot afford the fees of getting an ID or its underlying documents.

Voter ID laws don’t impact everyone equally. The people who are less likely to have an unexpired photo ID are people who already tend to be underrepresented in our electorate: Black people and other people of color, young people and students, voters with disabilities, older Americans who no longer drive, unhoused peopled, returning citizens, low-income people, and voters who change their names (like married or divorced women or trans people).

Voters who do have an accepted form of ID in their state will still have to navigate the confusion and changes in their state’s voter ID laws. Many may be intimidated from casting a ballot due to confusion or fear — especially first-time voters and infrequent voters.

Since 2012, VoteRiders has been working tirelessly to make sure every voter understands the voter ID rules where they live.

We provide free, one-on-one help to voters who need an ID to vote — and also to apply for a job, secure housing, access life-saving medical care, and more.

At VoteRiders, we’re preparing for 2024 now. We’re working hand in hand with voter registration and engagement groups, digital platforms, direct service providers, election officials, companies and brands, high schools and colleges, and more to educate voters about ID requirements and offer our free help to anyone who needs it.

VoteRiders depends on our supporters, volunteers, and partner organizations to help ensure that every eligible voter can cast a ballot that counts. Here are three things you can do right now to get involved and help us protect the right to vote:

Donate. Every dollar helps eligible voters get the ID they need to participate in our democracy. (Become a monthly donor and support this effort year-round!)
Volunteer. Join thousands of VoteRiders volunteers writing letters, texting, and working with voters one-one-one to make sure everyone has the ID and information they need to vote.
Help us spread the word! Direct your communities to our state-by-state voter ID resources, refer voters in need of free ID help to VoteRiders, and follow us across all platforms at @VoteRiders.

Together, we can address the challenges that voter ID laws present for our democracy. Let’s get to work.

Sincerely,