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Citizen_Penn Donating Member (359 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Oct-21-08 04:27 PM
Original message
Anybody else see signs asking for driver's license?
What's up with that?

the voter bill of rights says that it's not required - only the certificate.

Am I being paranoid to think they're trying to disenfranchise folks?

One election clerk told me she was told to check that the license matches the registration.


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my2sense Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Oct-21-08 04:30 PM
Response to Original message
1. No - when I voted yesterday
I just presented my certificate. My husband only presented his driver's license. I've voted in Texas for years and have never needed BOTH.
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sonias Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Oct-21-08 05:00 PM
Response to Original message
2. It depends on your status on the rolls
Don't panic yet. If you are a long time voter in your same county - your voter registration card is all you need. If you are a brand new voter in that county i.e. the first time you have registered and are voting in that county - you are required by the Help America Vote Act (HAVA) federal law to provide an ID. It does not have to be a photo ID but that is the most common thing people carry with them.

Another reason you may be flagged for ID at the polls - either your driver's licence number or last 4 digits of your social security did not match the databases. You can cast a regular ballot if you provide additional ID at the polls.

Frequently Asked Questions from the Texas SOS

Texas Voting Guide by the Texas SOS This one explains the registration process and IDs
All voters who registered to vote in Texas must provide a Texas driver's license number or personal identification number issued by the Texas Department of Public Safety. If you do not have such a number, then you must state that fact and provide the last four digits of your social security number. If you do not have a social security number, you must also state that fact.
These registrations will be flagged for ID at the polls.

But please clarify what the signs said. Did they say "You must have a driver's licence to vote." That kind of broad declaration at the official voting place? If the signs said that - they are illegal.

If so please let us know what city and what polling location if that is the case.

thanks

Sonia
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Citizen_Penn Donating Member (359 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Oct-21-08 08:08 PM
Response to Reply #2
4. Let me Clarify
This was posting FOR EVERYONE.

They demanded it of EVERYONE.

That is illegal - isn't it?
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sonias Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Oct-21-08 09:16 PM
Response to Reply #4
6. Yes please tell us what city and what polling place
Absolutely illegal inside the polling place. If the sign said a form of identification is required to vote, that's OK. Texas is an identification required to vote state. Our voter registration cards are identification. But if it said photo ID is required then that's illegal.

:grr:

Sonia
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Citizen_Penn Donating Member (359 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Oct-21-08 08:10 PM
Response to Reply #2
5. The sign said precisely what I said in OP
"PLEASE HAVE YOUR DRIVER'S LICENSE READY".

Several of us who've judged before, questioned the process.

No real response.

Harris County, Texas - Octavia Fields Library occurred 10/21/08 @ approximately 12:15 PM
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sonias Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Oct-21-08 09:17 PM
Response to Reply #5
7. Thanks I'm going to send that in
I'll p.m you some contact information too.

Sonia
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Lone_Star_Dem Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Oct-21-08 09:32 PM
Response to Reply #5
8. What you're saying you saw would not be legal
Edited on Tue Oct-21-08 09:33 PM by Lone_Star_Dem
I'd call the Obama campaign (866) 675-2008.

That's the main number which is all I have on hand here. I assure you it's not legal, nor true, to imply or state in print that a drivers license is required to vote in the state of Texas.

If a voter applied by mail and did not provide a copy of a valid form of ID, then you have to show ID (any legal form, not limited to a drivers license) and fill out a form.

If a voter does not have their registration they have to provide a valid from of ID, but even then it does not even have to be a drivers license.

It's either or, not both.
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sonias Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Oct-21-08 09:37 PM
Response to Reply #5
9. These are your voting rights in Texas
http://www.votexas.org/rights.html
HEY, YOU HAVE RIGHTS!

As a registered voter in Texas, you have the right to:

1. A ballot with written instructions on how to cast the ballot.
2. Cast your vote in secret and free from intimidation.
3. Receive up to two more ballots if you make a mistake while marking the ballot.
4. Ask the polling place official for instructions on how to cast the ballot (but not for suggestions on how to vote).
5. Bring an interpreter to assist you as you qualify to vote if you do not understand the English language.
6. Help to cast your ballot if you cannot write, see the ballot, or understand the language in which it is written.
7. Bring written materials into the voting booth to assist you as you cast your ballot.
8. Report a possible voting rights abuse to the Secretary of State (1.800.252.8683) or to your local election official.
9. Cast a provisional ballot if your name does not appear on the list of registered voters or you do not have proper identification.
10. Vote once at any early voting location during the early voting period within the territory conducting the election.
11. File an administrative complaint with the Secretary of State concerning violations of federal and state voting procedures.


Contact information:
Texas Secretary of State
Elections Division
P.O. Box 12060
Austin, Texas 78711-2060
By emailing: elections@sos.state.tx.us
By calling toll free: 1.800.252.8683
By calling direct: 512.463.5650
By faxing: 512.475.2811
================================

Election Protection (national organization of many non-profits) For tracking purposes.
http://www.866ourvote.org/
To report a problem or for general elections/voting questions:
Call: 1-866-Our-Vote
Email: help@866ourvote.org

===================================
MALDEF - please feel free to give out our 1-877-224-5476 Election Protection hotline if you run into voters having problems. MALDEF is the Mexican American Legal Defense Education Fund and they do a lot of legal work in Texas. I actually have a complaint form I can send you to submit.

Sonia

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thevoiceofreason Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Oct-21-08 09:50 PM
Response to Reply #5
12. I have sent this information to Jerry Birnberg, our dem chair
That is wrong and illegal.

Can someone go by there in the a.m. to see if they are still doing that? If they are, I'll go down and get a TRO.
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sonias Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Oct-21-08 09:59 PM
Response to Reply #12
13. Go get'em TVOR!
Forgot you were a lawyer. And if that's the case make sure it makes the media rounds too. We need to log these instances of voter suppression tactics.

:hi:

Sonia
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thevoiceofreason Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Oct-21-08 10:18 PM
Response to Reply #13
15. Hey back at you.
I'm gonna send you an email with some maybe interesting news.
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thevoiceofreason Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Oct-21-08 09:47 PM
Response to Reply #2
10. Registering to vote is different from voting.
Edited on Tue Oct-21-08 09:47 PM by thevoiceofreason
If you have your voter i.d. card, you do not need any other identification. Texas Eelction Code Section 63.001.

If you do not have your voter i.d. card and your name appears on the rolls, you must present a valid form of identification, which can be a driver's license, some other form of picture i.d. that is recognized, or even a utility bill -- in other words, something that shows you are who you say you are. Texas Election Code 63.009 et seq.

Send me a message if you want more - but just contact your local democratic party office, they'll know.
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BrightKnight Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Oct-23-08 11:33 PM
Response to Reply #2
26. When did they start requiring a big ugly contract form to vote?
I skimmed it for a while and I am still not sure what I signed and initialed.
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WolverineDG Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Oct-21-08 05:44 PM
Response to Original message
3. You also need to show government-issued ID
if you don't have your voter registration card with you.

dg
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thevoiceofreason Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Oct-21-08 09:48 PM
Response to Reply #3
11. Utility bills work also.
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sonias Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Oct-21-08 10:04 PM
Response to Reply #11
14. The full list of acceptable forms of ID
Edited on Tue Oct-21-08 10:07 PM by sonias
Texas SOS FAQ
What if I don't have a driver's license, personal identification number, OR a social security number? Can I still register to vote in Texas?

Even if you have not been issued any of three identification numbers requested on the application, you are still eligible to register to vote, but you will be required to provide proof of your identity. You may enclose a copy of identification with your voter registration application, or you may present identification when you vote. Acceptable identification includes:


  • a driver's license or personal identification card issued to the person by the Department of Public Safety or a similar document issued to the person by an agency of another state, regardless of whether the license or card has expired;
  • a form of identification containing the person's photograph that establishes the person's identity;
  • a birth certificate or other document confirming birth that is admissible in a court of law and establishes the person's identity;
  • United States citizenship papers issued to the person;
  • a United States passport issued to the person;
  • official mail addressed to the person by name from a governmental entity;
  • a copy of a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck, or other government document that shows the name and address of the voter; or
  • any other form of identification prescribed by the Secretary of State.


Anything you can use for registration is also acceptable form of ID for voting.

Sonia
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WolverineDG Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Oct-22-08 07:30 AM
Response to Reply #14
18. School ID works too
I saw students from the local colleges using theirs.

dg
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sonias Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Oct-22-08 09:23 AM
Response to Reply #18
21. And a work badge ID too
The last line that says "any other form of identification prescribed by the Secretary of State" would cover any photo ID issued by a school or a place of work.

Good point.


Sonia
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WolverineDG Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Oct-22-08 07:33 AM
Response to Reply #11
19. that's good to know
thanks!

dg
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thevoiceofreason Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Oct-22-08 07:38 AM
Response to Reply #19
20. You betcha!
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Justitia Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Oct-22-08 02:26 AM
Response to Original message
16. Houston: Tracy Gee Community Ctr asking for drivers license, WITH registration card
Tracey Gee Community Ctr on Westcenter (West Houston, off Richmond)

My son & I early voted Monday, approx 1:30 pm - registration cards ONLY, no problem.

Tuesday afternoon my husband votes at same location after work (approx 5 pm).
While he is in line, he notices that ALL voters are being asked (by different poll workers) to provide their drivers licenses AFTER presenting their registration cards.

Here is what is notable....he said the tone of the verbal request was polite and intentionally casual, as in "Oh, by the way, can I see your drivers license?" and asked by each poll worker of each voter. He did not see anyone refuse.

I heard no such requests on Monday, and trust me, I was paying attention.

I don't know what happened between Monday and Tuesday, but something is definitely rotten in Denmark.
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crispini Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Oct-22-08 07:23 AM
Response to Reply #16
17. Please report your husband's experience to the county party
and to the local Obama office, asap.
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sonias Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Oct-22-08 09:25 AM
Response to Reply #16
22. Your husband should file the report
He's the one that it happened to, so he should report it to the Secretary of State as a complaint and also the Obama campaign and the Election Protection Network.

These cases of voter suppression must be reported! Please tell him to make the effort to do that.


Sonia
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thevoiceofreason Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Oct-22-08 01:02 PM
Response to Reply #16
23. I went by there at lunch today.
I visited with the election judge, who stated that he was not aware of that happening but that he would make sure it did not happen again if it had happened in the first place. I felt like the AFLAC duck.
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sonias Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Oct-22-08 05:30 PM
Response to Reply #23
24. Without it no insurance is complete!
Thanks TVOR - you are insurance. So at least the election judges were put on notice. I'm sure they will be extra careful now.

AFLAC duck:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-kYYwMLQ38E

:kick:

Sonia
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Justitia Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Oct-23-08 12:58 PM
Response to Reply #23
25. You are great! Just checking back in on this thread, so happy to see your post.
This has been bugging me, I've been wanting to go back there and check it out, but I have contractors (post Ike damage stuff) holding me hostage at my house.

Thank you sooooo much for asking the election judge about it.

I always early vote there and the folks there are normally fine. It made me wonder if there was some "outside observer" directing the requests.

At least if they think someone else is paying attention to what is happening, they will make it clear that if a voter has their voter registration card, THEY DO NOT ALSO NEED A DRIVERS LICENSE.

Thank you again so much for stopping by there!
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