HR 156 — Securing our Elections Act of 2025

Summary

Securing our Elections Act of 2025This 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.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.

Bill Text

• Introduced Introduced in House Current html January 03, 2025

Compared against current U.S. Code AI-generated reading aid — verify against the official bill.

The bill establishes new photo identification requirements for voters in federal elections.

• 52 U.S.C. 21081

  SEC. 303A. PHOTO IDENTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS. (a) Provision of Identification Required as Condition of Casting Ballot.-- (1) Individuals voting in person.-- (A) Requirement to provide identification.-- 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. (B) Availability of provisional ballot.--(i) In general.--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. (ii) No effect on other provisional balloting rules.--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). (2) Individuals voting other than in person.-- (A) In general.--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. (B) Exception for overseas military voters.--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.

  This establishes new requirements for voters to present photo identification before casting their ballots in federal elections.

• 52 U.S.C. 21101(b)

  in the case of the recommendations with respect to section 303, October 1, 2003; → in the case of the recommendations with respect to section 303A, October 1, 2025.

  This updates the compliance deadline for the Election Assistance Commission regarding recommendations on photo identification requirements.

• 52 U.S.C. 21111

  303, and 304 → 303, 303A, and 304

  This includes the new photo identification requirements section in the enforcement provisions.

• 52 U.S.C. 21083

  and requirements for voters who register by mail, for Voters Who Register by Mail → for Mail-In Registration Forms

  This modifies existing provisions on mail-in registration to remove outdated references.

• 52 U.S.C. 21083(b)

  paragraphs (1) through (3) → paragraphs (4) and (5) as paragraphs (1) and (2)

  This redesignates certain provisions related to voter registration requirements.

Action History

1. January 03, 2025

   Introduced in House

2. January 03, 2025

   Introduced in House

3. January 03, 2025

   Introduced in House

4. January 03, 2025

   Introduced in House

5. January 03, 2025

   Referred to the House Committee on House Administration.

6. January 03, 2025

   Referred to the House Committee on House Administration.

Sponsors

• Ryan Mackenzie · Cosponsor
• Brian K. Fitzpatrick · Primary
• Brian K. Fitzpatrick · Primary

Subjects