Sign the Petition!  Make REAL ID Free for Low-Income Voters

We are working to pass a bill in Congress called the REAL ID Voting Access Protection Act of 2025—because no one should have to pay to vote.

Right now, millions of Americans—especially seniors, low-income families, people with disabilities, and those experiencing homelessness—are being blocked from the ballot box because they can’t afford to upgrade to a REAL ID.

This bill would make those upgrades free. It’s simple, it’s fair, and it’s long overdue.

✅ End financial barriers to voting
✅ Protect the rights of the most vulnerable
✅ Make our democracy truly accessible

We’re fighting for a future where everyone’s voice counts—no matter their income.

Many states currently charge fees for upgrading to a REAL ID—ranging from $25 to $48—creating a financial barrier for millions of Americans. While a few states like Wisconsin and Michigan offer free upgrades during license renewal, most still require payment regardless of income.

Our goal with this bill is to make REAL ID upgrades free nationwide for low-income families, seniors, disabled individuals, and the homeless—ensuring that no one is denied the right to vote or access essential services due to inability to pay.

 
 Here is the proposed bill:

REAL ID Voting Access Protection Act of 2025
118th Congress
 1st Session

H. R. ____

To ensure equitable access to federal identification required for voting, by mandating that individuals at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level shall be provided a REAL ID-compliant identification card or if they currently have a valid driver's license, be upgraded to REAL ID-compliant driver's license at no cost.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
 April 11, 2025

Ms. Ashley M. Mosley and Ms. Brittany A. Nikolai introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Oversight and Accountability.

A BILL
To eliminate the cost barrier for REAL ID-compliant identification for low-income individuals in order to protect the constitutional right to vote.

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE
This Act may be cited as the “REAL ID Voting Access Protection Act of 2025.”

SEC. 2. PURPOSE
The purpose of this Act is to eliminate financial barriers to upgrading a current form of identification to a REAL ID-compliant version for the purpose of voting, ensuring all eligible citizens have equal access to participate in federal, state, and local elections.

SEC. 3. NO-COST REAL ID FOR LOW-INCOME INDIVIDUALS
(a) Eligibility
 Any individual who is:
 (1) a United States citizen or legal permanent resident; and
 (2) at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines as defined by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
 shall be eligible to have their current form of identification upgraded at no cost to a REAL ID-compliant version.

Additionally, the following individuals shall also be eligible to have their current form of identification upgraded at no cost to a REAL ID-compliant version:

(A) Individuals aged 65 and older;
 (B) Individuals with a documented disability as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act;
 (C) Individuals experiencing homelessness, as defined by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development;
 (D) Individuals at or below the federal poverty level, determined by the national average as published annually by the U.S. Census Bureau and the Department of Health and Human Services.

(b) Verification
 States shall establish a simple and streamlined process to verify eligibility, which may include proof of participation in federal assistance programs (e.g., SNAP, Medicaid, SSI), tax filings, or an affidavit of income status.

(c) Use Limitation
 REAL ID-compliant identification issued under this section may be used for any purpose permitted under federal and state law, including but not limited to air travel, government access, and voting.

SEC. 4. FEDERAL FUNDING
(a) Grants to States
 The Secretary of Homeland Security shall establish a grant program to reimburse states for the full cost of issuing no-cost REAL ID-compliant identification under this Act.

(b) Annual Appropriation
 There is authorized to be appropriated $250,000,000 for fiscal year 2025, and such sums as may be necessary for each fiscal year thereafter, to carry out the provisions of this Act.

SEC. 5. IMPLEMENTATION DEADLINE
States shall comply with the provisions of this Act within 180 days of its enactment.

SEC. 6. SEVERABILITY
If any provision of this Act, or the application thereof to any person or circumstance, is found to be unconstitutional or otherwise invalid, the remainder of this Act shall not be affected.