It depends on what you mean by “democratic states,” because U.S. states with voter ID laws are not officially sorted by party. In general, most states have some form of voter ID requirement , but the exact count changes depending on whether you include strict photo-ID states, non-strict ID states, and states that ask for ID only in some situations.

The practical answer

  • If you mean states led by Democrats or with mostly Democratic politics , there are fewer voter ID states than Republican-led ones.
  • If you mean all states that require any voter ID , the number is well over half of the states.

Why the number varies

  • Some states require a photo ID at the polls.
  • Some accept non-photo ID or allow voters to cast a ballot after signing an affidavit.
  • Some only require ID for first-time voters or under limited circumstances.

Best plain-English takeaway

A safe way to say it is: many states with Democratic leadership still have voter ID laws, but Democratic states are generally less likely than Republican states to have strict photo-ID rules.

Quick note

If you want the exact count, I can break it down by strict photo ID , non-strict ID , or states currently governed by Democrats.