Stories of Local Activism #17
VoteRiders
Eliminating ID-Based Barriers to Voting Rights
Nationwide
VoteRiders is a national, nonpartisan nonprofit focused on the critical issue of voter ID. The organization helps eligible voters understand ID requirements, obtain accepted identification, and overcome bureaucratic, financial, and informational barriers that can prevent eligible voters from casting a ballot that counts.
Founded in 2012 by Kathleen Unger in response to the rise of voter ID laws, VoteRiders works across three core areas: voter education and empowerment, direct assistance for voters, and advocacy, policy, and research. Its model combines practical, one-on-one support with national and state-specific resources, strategic partnerships, on-the-ground organizing, and policy work designed to prevent ID laws from silencing eligible voters.
VoteRiders particularly centers communities historically left out of the political process and most likely to face voter ID barriers, including young people and students, Black and Brown voters, people with limited income or unstable housing, trans and nonbinary people, people with disabilities, seniors, naturalized citizens, and people who have changed their names.
Mission
VoteRiders’ mission is to eliminate ID barriers to voting so every eligible voter can cast a ballot that counts.
Nicole’s Story
What They Do
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Protecting access to the ballot box for voters affected by ID barriers by focusing on the most common administrative obstacles that can prevent eligible voters from casting a ballot
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Reducing confusion around voter ID laws by helping voters, communities, and civic organizations understand changing state ID requirements and what they mean in practice
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Removing practical barriers to obtaining identification by addressing the real-world challenges voters face, including missing documents, fees, transportation, name changes, and bureaucratic complexity
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Strengthening the capacity of trusted community organizations by enabling local partners to identify voters who need ID help and connect them with accurate information and support
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Advancing a more inclusive democracy by documenting the impact of voter ID laws, elevating voter stories, and advocating for policies that make voting more accessible
How They Do It
1. State-Specific Voter ID Information
VoteRiders provides online voter ID guidance for all states and Washington, DC, helping voters check their state’s ID rules before they register and vote.
2. Free Voter ID Helpline
Voters can call or text VoteRiders for free help navigating ID requirements and getting the documentation they need. The helpline number is 866-432-8683. You can also visit https://voteriders.org/freehelp/
3. One-on-One ID Assistance
VoteRiders works directly with voters to secure accepted identification and underlying documents, covering fees and transportation costs where needed.
4. Partner Toolkit
VoteRiders offers nonprofits and nonpartisan organizations free voter ID resources, including information cards, digital resources, co-branded materials, action kits, trainings, presentations, volunteer events, referrals, clinics, and team support. VoteRiders.org/Partner-Toolkit
5. Voter ID Information Cards
VoteRiders offers free Voter ID Information cards in English and Spanish for all 50 states and DC. Their 2026 redesigned cards are now available https://voteriders.org/cards/ These cards list accepted forms of ID to vote, alternative options for voting, and ways to get free help. The cards also highlight how VoteRiders can help voters get IDs, provide the Helpline number, and direct them to the VoteRiders website for more information. They are an effective addition to any voter registration, get-out-the-vote, or other similar effort.
6. Field and Community Outreach
VoteRiders’ field teams work on the ground in Arizona, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Texas, and Wisconsin, reaching voters through events, community partnerships, and direct assistance.
7. Advocacy, Policy, and Research
VoteRiders uses voter stories, legislative testimony, grassroots advocacy, and research to oppose restrictive ID laws and proof-of-citizenship requirements.
Theory of Change
Clear Voter ID Information + Free Direct Assistance + Trusted Community Partnerships + Policy Research + Grassroots Advocacy →
More Eligible Voters Able to Cast Ballots That Count
VoteRiders’ theory of change rests on the premise that voter participation depends not only on motivation, but also on access to the documents, information, time, money, and support required to vote. Voter ID laws can create unequal burdens for eligible voters who face administrative, financial, or logistical barriers.
IMPACT
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5,000,000+ voters directly reached with ID information and assistance
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746,846 Voter ID Information Cards distributed across all 50 states and DC.
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22,094 voters assisted one-on-one with free ID help
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7,617 people from partner organizations trained on voter ID laws
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2,600+ historical partner organizations collaborating to expand voter access.
Take Action
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Share this story with your network.
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Volunteer: Explore volunteer opportunities. VoteRiders.org/Volunteer
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Partner with VoteRiders: Organizations can use VoteRiders’ free partner resources and assistance. VoteRiders.org/Partner
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Check your state’s voter ID rules: Use VoteRiders’ state-specific voting information tools to understand what ID you need before registering or voting. VoteRiders.org/Check
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Donate: Support VoteRiders’ work to eliminate ID barriers and help eligible voters cast ballots that count. VoteRiders.org/Donate
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Social channels: Instagram, Bluesky, YouTube, Facebook and TikTok
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Visit Their Website: https://www.voteriders.org
