Several states across the country require voter identification when citizens go to the polls to cast their ballots in elections, but in many of those states, voters can use unorthodox IDs to have their identity verified.
Typically, voters in states requiring identification to cast a ballot will use their driver’s license, state identification card, or passport to fulfill the requirement for ID. However, in many states, there are a variety of alternatives to the traditional driver’s license.
Here are some of the most unorthodox approved alternatives to a typical state-issued ID that voters can use in the 36 states that have a form of those laws.
Student IDs
While young voters are less likely to vote than their older counterparts, students in multiple states can use their valid student ID to prove their identity when casting their ballots.
The states that allow student IDs to be used to satisfy the voter ID requirement include Alabama, Colorado, Delaware, Georgia, Michigan, Mississippi, Montana, South Dakota, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, and Wisconsin.
In Indiana, only IDs from state schools may be used, while in Wyoming, only IDs from the University of Wyoming, state community colleges, or public schools may be used. In Iowa, a student ID may be used along with another document to prove a voter’s current address.
In New Hampshire and North Carolina, the student ID card must be approved by the state election board. Approved IDs for both states can be found on each state’s website.
Digital IDs
While an ID card or paper is typically used to verify identity before casting a vote, a form of digital ID has been approved for use in two states.
In Louisiana, voters may use the LA Wallet digital driver’s license as a valid form of voter ID. The mobile phone application offers a digital version of a resident’s driver’s license, per the Louisiana secretary of state.
In North Carolina, a digital form of student ID has been approved for use to verify identity. The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill’s Mobile UNC One Card is one of the approved forms of voter ID being allowed despite a legal challenge from Republicans.
Debit card
While casting a vote is free for all U.S. citizens, in Florida and West Virginia, a debit card is listed as a valid form of identification. Florida also allows credit cards, while West Virginia citizens can also use bank cards.
Bus pass
Many voters use public transportation to make their way to polling places, and in one state it is considered a valid form of voter ID.
In Rhode Island, a RIPTA bus pass is listed as one of the valid forms of identification for voters. The bus pass qualifies as an “ID card issued by the US government or State of Rhode Island,” according to the Rhode Island secretary of state.
Concealed weapon permit
In various states, firearm permits are considered legal forms of voter ID.
In Arkansas, Florida, Kansas, Mississippi, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, West Virginia, and Wyoming, different types of firearm permits are considered valid forms of voter ID. Each state lists which permits and licenses are valid on their respective state’s website.
Pilot’s license
Most voters do not have to fly to get to their polling place, but those who are allowed to be in an airplane cockpit can use their license in Colorado.
“A valid pilot’s license issued by the federal aviation administration or other authorized agency of the U.S,” according to the Colorado secretary of state’s office.
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Other common forms of approved voter IDs include tribal ID cards and military IDs. Each state’s website has a full list of its valid voter IDs.
Additional information about registering to vote and other information about November’s elections can be found on Vote.gov.
This article was originally published at www.washingtonexaminer.com
