As the Obama Presidential Center opened in Chicago in late June 2026, some critics alleged the center's photo identification requirements were hypocritical when compared with the Democratic stance on voter ID.
An X post (archived) from the official Republican Party account responded to the Obama Center's opening announcement telling visitors not to forget their photo ID, along with a claim that ID was required to enter the museum.
ID required to enter Obama's library. ID not required to vote in Illinois. Same party. Same state.
The Obama Presidential Center is facing backlash over its admission rules weeks before its June 19 opening in Chicago's Jackson Park. Illinois residents who want free entry on Tuesdays must show a valid photo ID, an Illinois driver's license, a state ID, or a city-issued ID to prove residency. The same requirement applies for discounted tickets on other days.
Critics quickly seized on the contrast with Democratic opposition to voter ID laws. "So residents have to prove who they are for this, but not to vote?" one widely shared post read. Republican Sen. Rick Scott called it a double standard and used it to push the SAVE Act, which would require proof of citizenship to register to vote.
Defenders point out the policy mirrors that of other Illinois museums and that the center is a privately funded $850 million project, not a government building. General admission will cost $30 for adults and $23 for children. The surrounding 19-acre campus remains free and open to the public year-round.
(Facebook user "Things You Don't Know")
Some conservative media coverage made the same comparison. A Fox News headline claimed: "Obama Center takes heat as critics cry foul over ID rules for free entry — while Dems blast voter ID laws."
This claim — in addition to comparing apples to oranges — misrepresents both admission into the Obama Presidential Center as well as voter ID laws. Because of this, we've rated the claim a mixture of true and false information.
The Obama Presidential Center does not require photo ID to enter the museum except for Illinois residents to take advantage of discounts or a free day. While voters in Illinois do not need to show ID at the polling station, they do need identification in order to register to vote.
Snopes reached out to the Obama Foundation for comment. A spokesperson said over email:
The Obama Presidential Center's campus is free and accessible to all without a photo ID. The only ticketed area of the campus is the four floors of the museum. No ID required to get into the museum, unless you want the discounted rate for Illinois residents or the Illinois free day.
Tickets to the museum —
Many private museums require identification for visitors to take advantage of discounts or free days for local residents and other groups. For example, the George W. Bush Presidential Center in Dallas requires veterans, teachers and students to show ID in order to take advantage of lower prices or free admission.
In Illinois, voters are not required to bring ID to the polling station on the day of voting. However, in order to register to vote, voters must submit a copy of a valid photo ID or a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck or other government document that shows their name and address.
For further reading, Snopes has previously reported on the SAVE America Act, which would require voters to present photo ID to cast a ballot, whether in-person or by mail. We also debunked U.S. President Donald Trump's repeated claim that noncitizens often vote in elections.