Analysis
The Hidden Costs of Strict Voter ID Laws
Debates surrounding voter ID requirements often focus on whether these laws “prevent fraud” or enable voter suppression. Less often discussed are the systemic barriers that make it more difficult for eligible voters to obtain the necessary documents to satisfy these requirements in the first place.
Every state with a voter ID law will accept an in-state driver’s license to satisfy its requirements for casting a ballot. While driver’s licenses are the most common form of ID, over one in 10 Americans do not have a driver’s license. What’s more, driver’s licenses are not free, and the cost of getting a license — plus added logistical factors — can create obstacles to voting, especially for low-income and marginalized communities.
As more states continue to adopt strict voter ID requirements — and the federal REAL ID mandate takes effect — this analysis from MAP and VoteRiders reveals the unseen costs of strict voter ID laws and what this means for access to the ballot box.
The Growing Landscape of Strict Voter ID Requirements
Voter ID has long been a controversial election policy, but in recent years, the landscape of states with strict voter ID laws has evolved significantly.
Since 2020, at least ten states have made substantial, restrictive changes to their voter ID laws. Currently, and as shown below, 17 states require some form of ID to vote — and 13 of those states specifically require a photo ID to cast a ballot. These 13 states represent one in five eligible voters in the country.
Map: ID Requirements for In-Person Voting
These strict photo ID laws create significant barriers for voters in these states who lack the required identification. Unlike non-strict states or states that do not require ID, strict ID states require voters to present photo ID or face additional steps to have their votes counted.
In states with non-strict ID laws, a wide range of documents can satisfy their requirements, such as bank statements, paychecks, or utility bills. However, strict photo ID states often have a much narrower range of acceptable IDs, with driver’s licenses being the most common. As a result, in these strict states, paying for a driver’s license can be a significant obstacle to voting.
The Financial Burden of Obtaining a Driver’s License
The cost of obtaining a driver’s license varies dramatically across the United States, creating an uneven landscape of financial barriers for voters.
Based on newly updated data from MAP, driver’s license fees* range from as low as $15 in North Dakota to as high as $89 in Washington state. While these figures do not include secondary costs such as testing, additional documentation, travel, and time taken off from work, the costs described here are the minimum costs possible for a new license. However, the true costs are likely much higher.
* Note: these data reflect minimum possible costs for a standard license (i.e., not necessarily REAL-ID compliant); do not include associated fees beyond ID issuance (e.g., road or written tests, credit card or online processing fees, etc.); and if a state offers multiple price points for IDs (e.g., 4 years for $25 or 8 years for $40), the lowest price at the time of purchase is used. Note that this analysis does not focus on other state-issued IDs; in most states an individual cannot possess both a driver’s license and a state-issued, non-driving ID.
According to MAP’s analysis:
- In strict voter ID states, where a driver’s license is the most common way to satisfy ID requirements, the average minimum cost for a license is just under $35.
- Based on the minimum wage laws in strict ID states as of 2025, the average number of hours that need to be worked in order to earn enough to afford a license is 4.6 hours, more than half of an eight-hour shift.
- In Wyoming, a minimum-wage worker would need to work 8.7 hours to earn enough to afford a license, more than a full day’s shift.
While these amounts may seem modest to some, they can represent a significant burden for low-income voters living paycheck to paycheck. MAP’s previous research shows that communities of color, the elderly, and rural residents are also disproportionately impacted by identification requirements.
Implications of REAL ID Requirements
Starting in May 2025, the federal government was set to begin enforcing REAL ID requirements across the country, which require every person over 18 to present a REAL ID to board a flight or enter a secure federal building. The Department of Homeland Security and the TSA have since softened the enforcement mandate, and the mandate is now set for May 2027. The enforcement date was pushed back again in part due to the number of people who have not been able to obtain a REAL ID. While REAL ID is not necessary for voting, the upcoming enforcement of the federal mandate creates pressure for Americans to upgrade their driver’s licenses.
According to our research, in at least a dozen states, the cost of obtaining a REAL ID is higher than a standard driver’s license. In addition, obtaining a REAL ID requires in-person visits to DMV offices as well as additional documentation requirements as compared to a standard license. The upcoming enforcement of the REAL ID mandate only adds to the burdens already in place for voters, particularly in strict voter ID states.
>> For more information on REAL ID, visit VoteRiders’s website here.
A Voter Story
Below, we are highlighting a voter testimonial — provided by our partners at VoteRiders — which details how the costs of obtaining identity documents became prohibitive, preventing civic engagement and participation in other parts of daily life. Thanks to the support of the VoteRiders team, this Wisconsin voter was able to successfully navigate obstacles to obtaining a driver’s license. Dana needed an updated ID to vote and access housing and government assistance, but the DMV fee was out of reach. Then, VoteRiders stepped in.
This was the second time 56-year-old Dana S. needed to update her Wisconsin driver’s license. It was also the second time she couldn’t afford to do so.
Several years ago, Dana moved to Wisconsin and needed to update her license. The process would have been relatively straightforward had she not misplaced her birth certificate. To update her license, Dana would first need a new copy of her birth certificate, which she couldn’t afford to pay for. Luckily, Dana learned about VoteRiders’ free voter ID services and was able to obtain a new birth certificate and update her ID with help from a VoteRiders team member. Years later, Dana found herself in a very similar situation — except now she was temporarily residing at the Salvation Army Emergency Lodge. This time around, Dana needed an updated Wisconsin ID to apply for permanent housing as well as Social Security and disability benefits. But with no income, she couldn’t afford the fee.
One day, Dana spotted a VoteRiders flyer announcing an upcoming Voter ID Assistance Clinic where VoteRiders staff and trained volunteers would be on-site to provide one-on-one ID assistance to voters in need.
At the clinic a few days later, Dana met VoteRiders’ Wisconsin State Director, Jake.
Jake took Dana’s information, scheduled her DMV appointment, arranged a free ride to take her to the DMV and back to her destination. He even went to the appointment with her in case she had any questions while filling out the required paperwork. Then, once everything was signed and completed, Jake covered the cost of Dana’s updated ID.
“VoteRiders is so needed because there are so many people out here financially struggling,” Dana said. “Even with jobs, people are still struggling.”
Before Dana left, Jake also made sure she was registered to vote since a photo ID is required to vote in person in Wisconsin, and a copy of an accepted identification is required the first time you request an absentee ballot.
“Several years ago, people risked their lives to give us the freedom to vote,” Dana shared. “Voting is so vital. One voice, with a collective of voices, can make a major difference. It takes a village to make a difference.”
While having a driver’s license may seem like an afterthought to some, many Americans face significant financial and logistical burdens to obtaining this important form of ID.
Identity documents are critically important for accessing nearly every aspect of life, and in the context of an increasingly strict landscape of voter ID requirements, they can become a necessity to exercising one of our most fundamental rights.
▸▸ Learn more
- View MAP’s Democracy Map for ID requirements for in-person voting.
- Read MAP’s Democracy 101 brief on voter ID laws.
- If you or someone you know is looking for ID information or free assistance, visit VoteRiders.org/Help.
