Can I Vote if My Drivers License is Out-of-Date?

Voting can be intimidating, especially for the first time. There seem to be so many rules and regulations, and you have to know what you need to bring with you, where to go, and when you can vote. The rules are different in each state, which can make it even more confusing when finding information online. Vote.org is an amazing resource, with everything you need to know and a completely user-friendly interface, broken down by state.

A driver’s license is an acceptable form of voter identificationWhat Do You Need Vote Blog in most states, but each state has a different requirement on whether it needs to be a valid, unexpired license and what you can bring as an alternate form of ID. It's important to understand your state's rules, because without the right ID, you could face delays or even be unable to vote.

How to Vote With an Expired Driver's License

If you do have an out-of-date license, visit the Department of Motor Vehicles website for your stateDmv to find out how to renew in person or online. But if you don't have time to take care of it before voting day, there are usually other options. While each state varies, generally, those that require a photo ID accept substitutes such as:

• Non-driver ID

• State-issued voter ID

• State-issued ID

• Federal-issued ID

• U.S. passport

• Government employee ID

• Student or employee ID from a college or university within the state

• Military ID

• Tribal ID

Take a look at the list below for each state's rules regarding the type of ID required and whether they'll accept an expired driver's license. Click on the state name for more details.  

States That Require Photo ID

• GeorgiaPage Georgia Voter Identification Requirements Sos.ga.gov

• IdahoVoteidaho.gov

• IowaElections Voterinformation VoterIDfaq.html Sos.iowa.gov

• KansasElections Photo Id.html Sos.ks.gov

• KentuckyVoters Pages Absentee Excused In Person.aspx Elect.ky.gov 

• LouisianaVote VoteOnElectionDay Pages Default.aspx ElectionsAndVoting

• NebraskaElections Voter Id Sos.nebraska.gov (as of April 1, 2024)

• New HampshireG Files Ehbemt561 Files Documents Posters Voter Id Explanatory Document 5 2022.pdf Sites

• OhioVoters Id Requirements #gref Elections

• OklahomaElections Voters Proof Of Identity.html Oklahoma.gov

• Rhode IslandVoter Registration Voter Id Elections.ri.gov

• South CarolinaVoters Voter Faq Scvotes.gov

• South DakotaElections Voting Voting Default.aspx Sdsos.gov

• TennesseeElections Faqs What Id Is Required When Voting Sos.tn.gov

• WisconsinBringit.wi.gov

States That Accept Non-Photo ID

• AlaskaVotingatthepollsonelectionday.php Core

• ColoradoElections Vote AcceptableFormsOfID.html Pubs

• ConnecticutSots Election Services Faq Faq Voter Identification Portal.ct.gov 

• DelawareVoter Pdfs Voting%20FAQs.pdf Elections.delaware.gov

• MontanaBills 2021 Billpdf SB0169.pdf Archive.legmt.gov

• North DakotaPdfs Portals Id Requirements.pdf Vip.sos.nd.gov

• West VirginiaElections Pages BeReg.aspx Sos.wv.gov

• WyomingFaqs.aspx?root=ELEC Sos.wyo.gov

ID Required for First-Time Voters Only

• CaliforniaRegulations Hava_id_regs_from_barclays_3_3_06.pdf Elections.cdn.sos.ca.gov

• District of ColumbiaCasting Your Vote Voting By Live Ballot Voters 

• HawaiiVoting Voting In Hawaii Elections.hawaii.gov 

• IllinoisElectionDayVoting.aspx ElectionOperations

• MaineCec Elec Voter Info Right.html Sos

• MarylandVotingFAQ.aspx Pages

• NevadaNRS 293.html#NRS293Sec277 NRS

• New JerseyView 329 New Jersey Voters Bill Of Rights Poster DocumentCenter

• New MexicoVoting Faqs Voting Voting And Elections

• New YorkNy Election Law Eln Sect 5 210.html Codes.findlaw.com

• PennsylvaniaAgencies Vote Voter Support New Voters.html En

• VermontElections Voters Registration Sos.vermont.gov

• WashingtonWashington#id Needed For Voting

States with Other ID Requirements

• ArizonaAz Title 16 Elections And Electors Az Rev St Sect 16 579.html Codes.findlaw.com - Requires a photo ID with current address, or two forms of non-photo ID with current address, or a photo ID with another address, plus a non-photo ID with current address.  

• Florida Elections For Voters Voting Election Day Voting Dos.fl.gov- Requires a current, valid photo ID that includes your signature. If your ID does not include your signature, you'll need a second form of ID that does. 

• MassachusettsElections Voting Information Identification Requirements.htm Divisions - You may be asked to provide a photo or non-photo ID if you're a first-time voter, you haven't voted in a long time and your registration is inactive, or a poll worker has cause for suspicion. Otherwise, you do not need ID to vote in the state. 

• MichiganElections Voting Vote On Election Day#VoterID Sos - If you have a valid photo ID, you must present it when asked. If you don't, you can sign an affidavit swearing to your identity. 

• MinnesotaElection Day Voting Do I Need To Bring Id Elections Voting - As long as you have a current and active voter registration, you do not need ID to vote in Minnesota. If you need to register or renew your registration or it's been more than four years since you last voted, you'll need to provide proof of residence before voting. 

• OregonElections Documents SEL500.pdf Sos.oregon.gov - There is no in-person voting in Oregon. When registering to vote, you must provide your driver's license number or state ID license number, or you can sign a form and mail it to your County Election Office. 

• UtahVoter Id Requirements Vote.utah.gov - Voters must provide one government-issued photo ID or two other acceptable forms of ID. 

States That Accept Expired ID

• AlabamaVoter Voter Id Alabama Votes - Requires a valid photo ID that is not expired or is less than 60 days past expiration. If you do not have any of the required forms of ID, you can get a free Alabama photo voter ID cardPhoto Voter Id Mobile Id Locations?_ga=2.188308328.1197625459.1730132704 1329721970.1730132704 Alabama Votes. 

• ArkansasVoter Information Voter Registration Information Elections - Requires a photo ID that has not been expired for more than four (4) years from the date of the election.

• IndianaElections Voter Information Photo Id Law Sos - Requires a photo ID that is either current or expired at some point after the last general election. Those without a photo ID can get a free Indiana ID card from the Bureau of Motor Vehicles.  

• MississippiAcceptable Voter Id - Requires a valid photo ID, however, the ID can be expired, as long as it's not more than 10 years old. You can also get a free Mississippi Voter Identification Card at the state's circuit clerk’s office. 

• MissouriGoVoteMissouri Howtovote#Forms Elections - Requires a photo ID that is unexpired or expired after the date of the most recent general election.

• North CarolinaVoter Id Voting - Voters must show a valid photo ID that is unexpired or has been expired for one year or less. 

• TexasNeed Id.html Voting - Requires a valid photo ID that is current or expired for fewer than four (4) years, unless you are 70 years of age or older (in this case, there is no limit to the time an ID can be expired).  

• VirginiaIn Person Voting Casting A Ballot - Voters must provide a valid photo or non-photo ID that is not expired or expired for less than 12 months. 

All of these rules are for voting in person, either early or on voting day. Voting absentee by mail is different in each state, and you can find all of the information for your state at vote.org. Many states allow voters to sign a form, called an affidavit, swearing to their identity if they do not have the required documents. In addition, many states that require a photo ID offer them for free from the Department of Motor Vehicles or other government offices. 

Grab Your License and Get out to Vote

Remember, every vote counts, and casting your vote isn’t just a right — it’s a responsibility. In many states, a valid driver’s licenseDrivers License Blog is your key to getting into the voter booth. So, keep your license up to date and if it’s too late, check your state’s requirements for alternatives. Being proactive can help you make sure your voice is heard when it’s time to head out to the polls.