A new voter identification law was passed in the Iowa Legislature recently, and went into effect Jan. 1 this year. The changes may affect UNI students and their ability to vote in the upcoming midterm elections.

According to the Black Hawk County website, the new law requires specified identification be provided in order to vote. The identification must be provided at the polling place.

Acceptable forms of ID include a Department of Trasportation-issued driver’s license or nonoperator’s ID, a U.S. passport or U.S. military or veterans ID card.

The new regulations also provide a method to acquire an Iowa Voter Identification Card, which will allow a voter to vote at a polling place without possessing the aforementioned ID.

Beyond new rules about providing ID at the polling place, new regulations also touch on the ability of voters to submit absentee ballots among other issues.

According to the Black Hawk County website, if a voter does not possess any of the previously mentioned forms of ID, multiple forms may be provided specific to the law. Voters can contact the Black Hawk County Election office for details on the procedure.

In addition, if a voter does not possess the requisite ID to vote at the polling place, another voter of the same precinct may sign a prescribed oath to attest to the identity of the voter. A voter may attest in this way two times, but may also attest once to another voter who is registering to vote on election day.

Until Jan. 1 of 2019, a registered voter may sign a prescribed oath attesting to their identity, allowing them to vote without possessing any ID as previously specified.

The first day of absentee and satellite voting has also been changed from 40 days before election day to 29 days.

More information about voter registration and the new regulations can be found on the Black Hawk County website.