Federal Judge Blocks Indiana's Ban on Student IDs for Voting

On April 14, 2026, U.S. District Court Judge Richard Young issued a preliminary injunction against Indiana's Senate Bill 10 (SB 10), which prohibited college-issued student identification cards from being used as valid voter ID at polling places. The ruling allows students to use their IDs in the upcoming May 5 primary election while the legal challenge continues. The lawsuit was initiated by advocacy groups Count Us IN, Women4Change Indiana, and Indiana University student Josh Montagne, who argued that the law disproportionately affects young voters.

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Judge Young's decision highlighted that the plaintiffs were likely to succeed in their arguments that SB 10 imposes unconstitutional burdens on students and young voters, violating the First and Fourteenth Amendments. The judge noted that the law was the first instance in Indiana where a previously accepted form of ID was singled out and banned, stating, “Students are the only group that are told that their widely held, government-issued ID cannot be used to vote.”

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Young estimated that approximately 40,000 students would be impacted by the ban, with some experts suggesting the number could be as high as 90,000. He emphasized that the burden imposed by the law was significant, particularly for students who are less likely to possess alternative forms of identification, such as state-issued driver’s licenses.

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Supporters of SB 10, including Indiana Secretary of State Diego Morales, argued that the ban was necessary for election security, claiming it would ensure uniformity in voter identification. However, Judge Young found no evidence that student IDs had been associated with voter fraud or misconduct. He described the law as “a solution in search of a problem,” asserting that the state must provide better justification for the unique issues posed by student IDs.

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Critics, including advocates for voting rights, have characterized the law as an attempt to suppress young voter turnout. Jalyn Radziminski, executive director of Count Us IN, stated that the law was “never about election integrity — it was about silencing the voices of young Hoosiers.”

Public university students in Indiana can use student IDs when voting, federal judge rules

The ruling is significant as it restores access to voting for many students who rely on their college IDs. The case is expected to continue, with a status conference scheduled for June 9, 2026, and a trial anticipated in January 2027. The decision reflects a broader trend of legal challenges against restrictive voting laws targeting young voters across the United States.

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• “On this record, SB 10 looks more like a solution in search of a problem,” — Judge Richard Young

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• “there is no evidence that student IDs have been used to engage in voter fraud or any other voting-related misconduct.” — Judge Richard Young

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• “This law was never about election integrity — it was about silencing the voices of young Hoosiers who want to hold their elected representatives accountable at the ballot box,” — Jalyn Radziminski, Count Us IN

Public university students in Indiana can use student IDs when voting, federal judge rules

• “Voting Rights 1, Bad Guys 0.” — Isaac Chapman-Whitehead, IU College Democrats President

Public university students in Indiana can use student IDs when voting, federal judge rules

The ruling underscores the importance of ensuring that voting remains accessible, particularly for young voters who may face unique challenges in obtaining alternative forms of identification.

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