S 5271 United States Senate · 119th Congress

A bill to amend the Help America Vote Act of 2002 to require voters to provide photo identification.

This bill amends the Help America Vote Act to require voters casting ballots in person for federal elections to present a valid physical photo identification. It allows individuals who cannot show ID to cast a provisional ballot, provided they either present the ID within three days or submit a state-approved affidavit stating a religious objection to being photographed. The law also mandates that states make digital imaging devices available at public buildings like libraries and police stations so voters can print copies of their IDs for free. Acceptable forms of identification include state-issued driver's licenses, state ID cards, U.S. passports, military IDs, and tribal government IDs with photos. States must also notify all voter registration applicants, including those registering online, about this new requirement before they complete the process.
Tags: Elections
Bill status introduced 2 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Aug 2026
Committee Review
Senate Passage
President
Introduced Aug 5, 2026 Last action Aug 8, 2026
Floor votes · Senate Aug 8, 2026

How they voted

5246
Failed · 2 other
Total votes 100
Aug 8, 2026
D Democratic45
44 Nay 1
97% Nay
I Independent2
2 Nay
100% Nay
R Republican53
52 Yea 1
98% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
7
Key actions
0
Committee
0
Aug 8, 2026
Vote failed
Senate Vote: Cloture on the Motion to Proceed Rejected (52-46-2)
senate
Aug 5, 2026
Introduced
Introduced in the Senate. Read the first time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under Read the First Time.
upper
Aug 5, 2026
Introduced
Introduced in Senate
upper
1 primary · 2 co-sponsors

Sponsors