IOWA CITY, Iowa (KCRG-TV9) -- When you head to the polls in Iowa this year, you'll be asked to show identification.
Former Governor Terry Branstad signed into law the new voter ID requirements, which went into effect on January 1, 2018.
If you prefer voting by absentee ballot you'll now have fewer days to vote early.
Now voters will only have 29 days instead of 40 days to mail out their ballot or vote at an auditors office before a general election.
Although the primary elections are still months away, some auditors in Iowa are trying to get their voters ready for the new changes taking place.
Johnson County Auditor Travis Weipert tells us he's educating voters and poll workers now because he worries the new law could deter some people from voting.
"I do think that's going to turn some people off, the other thing is if someone forgets their ID and they sign the oath and it's holding up the line and you're in a rush to get your kids from daycare or something, are you willing to wait maybe 10-15 more minutes?" Weipert said.
Weipert will be educating voters and poll workers over the next few month to help those unfamiliar with the new changes.
"That's not what we really want, we want to get people out, when you only get 8-10 percent showing up to school and city elections, why make it harder?" says Weipert.
When you head to your polling place on June 5th for the primary election, they'll ask for your ID and this year anyone who does not have the necessary ID will need to sign an oath verifying their identity, then they can cast a regular ballot.
In 2019, voters will be required to show one of the following forms of IDs:
- Iowa Non-Operator's ID
- Iowa Driver's License
- U.S. Passport
- Military ID
- Veteran's ID
- Voter ID Card
Also if voters request an absentee ballot they'll need to include the number of one of those forms of ID on the request form.
In 2019 if voters do not have one of the required forms of ID, they can cast a normal ballot if they bring a person to the polls who can verify their identity, otherwise, they will only be allowed to cast a provisional ballot.
Once you cast a provisional ballot, you'll still have to verify your identity before the vote can be counted.