Mexico’s National Electoral Institute (INE) began issuing a redesigned voter ID card nationwide on June 1, 2026, and the agency’s Baja California Sur branch has presented details on the new credential’s features and optional data fields.
The updated card includes several advanced anti-counterfeiting measures: high-density QR codes that can be verified through the official Valida INE-QR mobile app, holograms, micro- and nano-text, special inks, ultraviolet-visible elements, and enhanced optical effects. INE designed the upgrades to make the credential significantly harder to forge.
Optional Fields for Gender Identity and Ethnicity
Among the most notable changes are three optional data fields that cardholders can request when they visit an INE citizen service office. Residents may now include a self-perceived gender identity on the card, self-identify as indigenous or Afro-Mexican, or choose to keep their home address private.
All three options are voluntary. No one will be required to provide this information, and the fields will only appear if the cardholder specifically requests them during enrollment or renewal.
Who Gets the New Card
The redesigned credential is being rolled out gradually. Only people who complete new enrollment, updates, renewals, or replacements at INE service offices will receive the new version. Residents who hold a valid, unexpired credential do not need to replace it.
BCS currently has 652,425 registered voters on its electoral roll. INE service offices in La Paz and other cities across the state are already processing the new cards.
What This Means for Residents
The INE credential serves as Mexico’s primary government-issued photo ID. It is used far beyond voting: banks, notaries, airlines, and government offices routinely require it for transactions. For foreign residents with Mexican permanent or temporary residency, the credential is available to those who meet INE’s registration requirements.
The QR verification feature is designed to let businesses and agencies confirm a card’s authenticity in real time using a free smartphone app, which could reduce identity fraud.
This story was first reported by BCS Noticias.