An image forming apparatus includes an image carrying member, intermediate transfer member, charger, transfer mechanism, discharger, direct current voltage source, and direct current voltage controller. The intermediate transfer member contacts the image carrying member and receives a toner image therefrom during a first transfer operation. The charger charges the intermediate transfer member to generate an electric field where the image carrying member and the intermediate transfer member contact each other for initiating the first transfer operation. The transfer mechanism performs a second transfer operation to transfer the toner image from the intermediate transfer member to a transfer sheet. The discharger discharges a charge remaining on the intermediate transfer member after completing the second transfer operation by the direct current voltage source applying a direct current voltage to the discharger. The direct current voltage controller controls the direct current voltage based on a volume resistivity of the intermediate transfer member.