New Laws Threaten Students’ Freedom to Vote

As students return to college campuses this fall, many will face uncertainty about whether, where, and how they can vote. Students seeking to exercise their right to vote may wonder whether they can register to vote using their college address, whether their campus will host a polling place, or what documents they’ll need. Across the country, we’ve seen numerous recent laws enacted that specifically target students. Many others disproportionately affect student voters. 

Burdensome voter ID laws, registration requirements, and polling place locations can all impede students’ freedom to vote. Each state’s requirements vary. Students should prepare by obtaining proper identification, securing any necessary citizenship documents, and learning about registration deadlines and polling locations.

Student IDs Often Do Not Qualify as Voter ID

The use of student ID is a frequent target in state legislatures. At least four states have restricted the use of student IDs in recent years. Three more states considered similar bills in 2025. 

Seven states¹, up from five two years ago, require voter ID to cast a ballot and expressly forbid the use of student ID cards as a form of voter ID. For example, in Arizona, the law permits the use of student ID cards that meet specific requirements. However, no student IDs currently meet those requirements². Other states only accept student IDs that contain a photo or address, or were issued by specific institutions. 

Many states have passed laws to severely limit or prohibit the use of student IDs as acceptable voter ID. In 2023, Idaho enacted a law prohibiting election officials from accepting a student ID as a form of voter ID. Soon after, Ohio and Indiana followed suit. Montana has also sharply limited the types of student IDs accepted as voter ID. This year alone, eight states considered or enacted bills that included provisions making it more challenging to use a student ID as a voter ID.

Of the states that accept student ID as voter ID, many only allow them under limited circumstances:

• In Arizona, the ID must be valid and include the student’s address, in addition to their photograph and name. Currently, none of the state’s public colleges issue student ID cards that meet these standards.
• In Georgia, student IDs issued by private universities do not qualify.
• In Montana, a student ID can only be used if issued by the Montana University System or a school that is a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics.
• In North Carolina, a student ID is only acceptable if issued by a constituent institution of the University of North Carolina, a community college, or another school approved explicitly by the state board of elections. 
• In Utah, the ID must be currently valid. Additionally, it must be accompanied by another form of identification to verify name and current residence.
• In Wisconsin, a student ID must contain the date the ID was issued, the student’s signature, and must either be unexpired or accompanied by evidence of current enrollment.
• In Wyoming, a student ID is only acceptable if issued by the University of Wyoming, a Wyoming community college, or a public school within the state.

Many state legislatures have been actively working to eliminate the use of student IDs for voter identification in recent years. Notable for their efforts are the legislatures of Arkansas, New Hampshire, Wyoming, Oklahoma, and Kentucky. Should these laws pass, a student who enrolls in college in one of these states, expecting to use their student ID to vote, may be turned away from the polls by the time they reach their senior year.

Finally, many schools are transitioning to using digital forms of identification. There is little existing guidance available on the use of such IDs for voting purposes. The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, for example, recently introduced digital student ID cards. However, the state board of elections agreed not to accept them until the legislature explicitly approves their use. Because universities are more likely to transition to digital ID cards before other agencies, students are particularly at risk (though the North Carolina DMV is also considering implementing a digital driver’s license). 

Students should exercise caution until legislatures clarify the use of digital IDs as voter IDs. This holds particularly true in states considering banning the use of digital IDs as voter IDs — like Tennessee and Idaho.

Registration and Voting On Campus Can Pose Unique Challenges

Some states have attempted to define residency in a way that excludes college students. New Hampshire is notorious for its hostility to the voting rights of college students originally from other states. New Hampshire legislators recently considered two bills aimed at preventing students from registering with their campus address as their primary address. This year, H.B. 289 would have prohibited a person from claiming residency in New Hampshire if they are a dependent of a person residing outside of the state. Two years ago, H.B. 405 attempted to limit voter registration eligibility for students to only those who qualify for in-state tuition.

In 2025, more than half of states considered proof of citizenship bills. These would require Americans to present a birth certificate or passport to register to vote. Students would be disproportionately impacted, as many may not have access to these documents while on campus. 

Today, only three states require proof of citizenship for everyone registering to vote in state elections. They include Arizona, New Hampshire, and Wyoming. However, given support at the federal level, we can expect similar legislation to re-emerge in future sessions. 

Lawmakers have also introduced bills targeting polling places on college campuses. Traditionally, college campuses have been logical sites for polling places. Their often central locations and dense populations make them ideal sites for both early voting and Election Day. Yet, in recent sessions, states have attempted to make it more difficult to vote on campus. This year, Texas lawmakers introduced H.B. 3144, which would have prevented any school or college campus from hosting a polling place unless the campus is closed to students that day. In 2023, Texas lawmakers introduced H.B. 2390, which would have outright prohibited polling places on college campuses. This legislation comes on the heels of an attempt in Brazos County to close the polling place on the campus of Texas A&M University, one of the nation’s largest universities. 

Students should research their closest polling place and not assume they will have a location on campus. Although legislation specifically targeting campus polling places has failed in state legislatures, the widespread impact of polling place closures means that the nearest voting location may change from one election to the next.

Students attending college in a different state or county from where they are registered to vote should check whether they are eligible for mail voting if they intend to vote in their original jurisdiction. Fourteen states require mail voters to have an excuse if they wish to vote by mail, so students should verify whether they qualify.

Prepare, Prepare, Prepare 

The voting landscape can be unfavorable to college students. Some states actively discourage students from registering in their new state. Many others go out of their way to avoid adopting policies that would benefit student voters.

Just like during exam season, preparation is key. Below are three steps student voters can take to ensure they can fully participate in our democracy in 2026: 

• Check your state’s voter registration rules early! Confirm whether you will be able to register at your student address and ensure compliance with any residency requirements.
• Check your state’s voter ID laws. Be sure to bring the required forms of identification to campus, especially if you are from out of state. Don’t count on being able to use your student ID, out-of-state license, or expired ID for voter ID purposes.
• If you’re in one of the few states (for most people, Arizona, New Hampshire, or Wyoming) that require proof of citizenship, secure or bring the required documents with you to campus. 

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1.  Idaho, Indiana, North Dakota, Ohio, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Texas. 
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2.  State of Arizona Election Procedures Manual, pg. 206, fn 4. (“While identification issued by a public college or university or other public educational institution qualifies as a state or local government-issued identification, it is not sufficient for voting purposes unless it includes the voter’s photograph, name, and address as required by A.R.S. § 16-579(A)(1)(a).”) ↩︎