What are voter ID laws?

Voter ID laws are laws that require voters to present a valid form of identification before casting a ballot. In Virginia, the state requires voters to show approved forms of identification, such as a driver’s license or state-issued ID, U.S. passport, or military or student identification card. This is done to ensure that only eligible voters are voting and to discourage voter fraud. In addition, Virginia requires absentee voters to supply a copy of an approved form of identification with their absentee ballot application. And even if a voter does not have an approved form of ID, they may vote provisionally if they can provide some other form of documentation like a bank statement, paycheck, utility bill, or photo ID issued by the federal, state, or local government. Voter ID laws are designed to protect the integrity of our elections and make sure that only eligible voters are able to cast a ballot. In Virginia, voter ID laws are taken seriously and those who do not comply with the laws can face penalties, including fines and jail time. Additionally, those who are found to have illegally voted can be prosecuted.

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What are voter ID laws?

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