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By Jasmine Laws
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A referendum was approved in Wisconsin on Tuesday meaning that a voter ID requirement has been added to the state constitution, solidifying an identification rule that had been in place since 2011.
The move makes Wisconsin the latest state to formalize voter ID rules, and it is one of 36 that have such requirements, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL).
Why It Matters
Voter ID requirements are a divisive issue, with supporters of the ruling arguing that it prevents voter fraud and makes the system more trustworthy.
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However, critics of the various requirements say they disproportionately affect groups who may find it hard to obtain ID, including elderly people and low-income voters, as fees can be relatively substantial. People in rural or under-resourced areas may also have reduced access to obtaining a government-issued ID.
Overall, the laws seem to be broadly popular in the U.S., as 77 percent of likely U.S. voters who participated in a February 2025 poll said that photo ID requirements were a "reasonable measure to protect the integrity of elections," according to pollster Rasmussen Reports.
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What To Know
The referendum asked voters one yes/no question regarding voter ID requirements:
"Photographic identification for voting. Shall section 1m of article III of the constitution be created to require that voters present valid photographic identification verifying their identity in order to vote in any election, subject to exceptions which may be established by law?"
It passed on the same day as a high-profile Wisconsin Supreme Court race and two Florida special elections were held, and was celebrated by President Donald Trump and his adviser Elon Musk.
Wisconsin voters are already required to show photo ID based on a state law passed in 2011, but supporters of the Republican-backed proposal argued that adding it to the state constitution would help cement the requirement.
Which States Have Voter ID?
Aside from Wisconsin's new ruling, since 2020, eight other states have enacted new voter ID laws, including Arkansas, Idaho, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Carolina, Ohio and Wyoming, according to NBC News.
Policies on voter ID requirements vary widely between states, and of the 36 states with rules in place, 21 ask for a photo ID and 15 also accept non-photo IDs, according to NCSL.
States with strict photo ID requirements include Arkansas, Georgia, Indiana, Kansas, Mississippi, North Carolina, Ohio, Tennessee, and now Wisconsin.
Arizona, North Dakota, and Wyoming have strict non-photo ID requirements in place for voter identification.
Meanwhile, states with less restrictive photo ID requirements include Alabama, Florida, Idaho, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, and Texas.
States with non-strict, non-photo ID requirements are Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Iowa, New Hampshire, Oklahoma, Utah, Virginia, Washington, and West Virginia.
There are exceptions to these rulings, meaning some may not need any ID to vote, but these also vary between states.
People who could be excepted in some states include those with religious objections to being photographed, those who do not have an ID due a recent natural disaster, those who are victims of domestic or sexual abuse, as well as other exemptions.
To check what the requirements are to vote in your state, with examples of various forms of ID that are accepted, go to the NCSL website here.
What People Are Saying
All Voting is Local Wisconsin state director Sam Liebert released the following statement after the referendum was approved: "Enshrining a voter ID mandate into the Wisconsin constitution will guarantee the continued exclusion of many voters from the ballot box in future elections.
"Seniors, people of color, people with disabilities, and people from low-income households are among the Wisconsinites who have difficulties obtaining an active form of ID and will be effectively disenfranchised by this mandate."
He added: "After Wisconsin's strict voter ID law took effect in 2016, it directly affected turnout among these groups of people. We should not be purposefully leaving eligible voters behind by setting up additional barriers to the ballot, but unfortunately, those in the Badger State have one more step to take before voting."
President Donald Trump, wrote in a post on Truth Social: "VOTER I.D. JUST APPROVED IN WISCONSIN ELECTION. Democrats fought hard against this, presumably so they can CHEAT. This is a BIG WIN FOR REPUBLICANS, MAYBE THE BIGGEST WIN OF THE NIGHT. IT SHOULD ALLOW US TO WIN WISCONSIN, LIKE I JUST DID IN THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION, FOR MANY YEARS TO COME!"
Elon Musk, reposted content about the referendum result from his America PAC on X, formerly Twitter, with the comment: "This was the most important thing."
What Happens Next
The Wisconsin referendum is unlikely to change day-to-day voting procedures, since voter ID was already required by law, but by embedding the rule in the state constitution, it becomes harder to overturn through court challenges or future legislation.
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