Court upholds Idaho voter ID requirements

A federal judge has upheld an Idaho law eliminating student identification as a valid form of voter ID.

U.S. District Judge Amanda Brailsford dismissed a lawsuit Wednesday that was filed by the groups March for Our Lives Idaho and the Idaho Alliance for Retired Americans. The suit argued that Idaho’s new voter registration requirements, which took effect in July 2023, disproportionately affect young voters. 

Because Idaho’s laws allow for eligible voters to obtain a free ID card that can be used for registering to vote and voting, Brailsford ruled that the new requirements do not impose “excessively burdensome requirements on any class of voters.” 

Idaho Secretary of State Phil McGrane called the ruling a “significant victory for the state’s efforts to ensure secure and transparent elections.” 

“The U.S. District Court affirmed that Idaho voter registration laws are fair and accessible,” McGrane said in a news release. “I’m pleased by the court's decision. I’m looking forward to continuing our voter registration efforts as we get closer to the November general election.” 

Under the registration requirements, eligible voters need a current photo ID in order to register to vote and cast a ballot. 

Acceptable forms of photo ID include an Idaho driver’s license, Idaho identification card, passport or federal ID, tribal ID card or concealed weapons license issued by a county sheriff in Idaho.