The Key Requirement: Your ID Number
When you fill out the Arkansas Voter Registration Application, the most critical piece of identification you will need to provide is a number, not a physical card. You must include either your Arkansas driver’s license number or the last four digits of your Social Security number on the form. This is the primary method the state uses to verify your identity during the registration process. If you have one of these numbers, you can proceed with filling out the rest of the application, which can be done by mail or in person at various locations, including your local county clerk's office, a DMV office, or a public library. You do not need to submit a physical copy of your ID when you register, as long as you provide one of these numbers.
Registering Without a Driver's License or SSN
If you
do not have an Arkansas driver’s license or a Social Security number, you can still register to vote. The voter registration application includes a specific box to check indicating that you have neither. However, if you are registering by mail for the first time and check this box, you must submit additional documentation along with your application. You will need to include a copy of a current and valid photo ID or a copy of a document that shows your name and current address. Accepted documents include a current utility bill, a bank statement, a government check, or a paycheck. Providing one of these documents helps verify your identity and residency, allowing your registration to be processed without potential delays when you go to vote for the first time.
Registration ID vs. Photo ID for Voting
It is crucial to understand the difference between the identification required to register and the photo ID required to vote. While registration primarily relies on a driver's license or Social Security number, casting a ballot in person in Arkansas requires you to present a specific form of photo identification. These are two separate requirements. The ID you show at the polls must show your name and photograph and be issued by the United States, the State of Arkansas, or an accredited postsecondary educational institution in Arkansas. Accepted forms include an Arkansas driver’s license, a U.S. passport, a military ID, or a student ID from an Arkansas college, among others. This ID can be expired, but not by more than four years before the election date.
What If You Lack Photo ID for Voting Day?
For citizens who are registered but do not have one of the accepted forms of photo ID, Arkansas provides a solution: a free voter verification card. You can obtain this card from your county clerk's office. To get one, you will need to sign an affidavit stating that you do not possess an accepted photo ID and provide documents that verify your full name, date of birth, and residential address. This card is intended specifically for voting purposes. If you arrive at the polls without an accepted photo ID, you can cast a provisional ballot. For that vote to be counted, you must present a valid photo ID to the county clerk or county board of election commissioners by noon on the Monday following the election.
