Identification now required to cast vote in Iowa

Iowa's Secretary of State issued a statement reminding registered voters in Iowa that the state's voter ID law, called the Election Modernization and Integrity Act, is in full effect beginning this year.

Any voter wanting to cast a ballot in future elections at any level in the state will be required to present an approved form of identification before being allowed to do so. Those that cannot provide a valid ID can have another registered voter from that precinct with valid ID attest to their identity, or they may cast a provisional ballot. Those that cast a provisional ballot can provide proper ID to their county auditor before canvassing to ensure their vote is counted.

Valid forms of identification to satisfy the requirements of the law are non-expired forms of an Iowa drivers license, non-operator's ID, military ID, U.S. passport, tribal ID, veteran's ID, or state-provided voter ID cards.

Voter ID cards will be mailed automatically to registered voters who do not have a driver's license or non-operator's ID from the Iowa Department of Transportation. If you have not received a voter ID card and should have, or have lost the one you received, call your county auditor to be issued a new card.

“Elections continue year-round in Iowa and it’s important to make sure you are voter ready before heading to the polls,” Secretary of State Paul Pate said in a statement.

Voters experienced a soft rollout of the new law in elections held in 2018, where they could show an ID as a form of practice before full implementation. Voters could alternatively still attest to their own identity last year, but that will no longer be an option going forward.