Post by Deleted on Aug 1, 2012 6:59:13 GMT -5
Statement Regarding Today’s Court Ruling in the Photo ID Lawsuit
“We are pleased with Judge Trauger’s ruling, which we know upholds the intent of the state legislature to only allow federally- or state-issued photo identification for the purpose of verifying voters’ identities,” Secretary of State Tre Hargett said. “As we have consistently stated, the legislature clearly intended that only state or federal photo IDs can be used, which prevents us from accepting county or city IDs. Our Division of Elections remains ready to assist any voter with questions about how they may obtain a free photo ID for voting from the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security.”
The net effect of the judge’s decision is that the City of Memphis library cards will not be accepted at the polls Thursday as valid state photo ID for voting purposes. The plaintiffs argued a library card with a photo issued by the City of Memphis library was a state photo ID.
A voter who does not present a state- or federally-issued photo ID at the polls will not be turned away, but will receive a provisional ballot. However, the voter will need to return to the local election commission office within two business days after the election and present a state- or federally-issued photo ID in order for the provisional ballot to be counted.
Examples of acceptable forms of ID, whether current or expired, include driver licenses, U.S. passports, Department of Safety photo ID cards, U.S. military photo IDs and other state or federal government photo ID cards. College student IDs are not acceptable.
“We are pleased with Judge Trauger’s ruling, which we know upholds the intent of the state legislature to only allow federally- or state-issued photo identification for the purpose of verifying voters’ identities,” Secretary of State Tre Hargett said. “As we have consistently stated, the legislature clearly intended that only state or federal photo IDs can be used, which prevents us from accepting county or city IDs. Our Division of Elections remains ready to assist any voter with questions about how they may obtain a free photo ID for voting from the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security.”
The net effect of the judge’s decision is that the City of Memphis library cards will not be accepted at the polls Thursday as valid state photo ID for voting purposes. The plaintiffs argued a library card with a photo issued by the City of Memphis library was a state photo ID.
A voter who does not present a state- or federally-issued photo ID at the polls will not be turned away, but will receive a provisional ballot. However, the voter will need to return to the local election commission office within two business days after the election and present a state- or federally-issued photo ID in order for the provisional ballot to be counted.
Examples of acceptable forms of ID, whether current or expired, include driver licenses, U.S. passports, Department of Safety photo ID cards, U.S. military photo IDs and other state or federal government photo ID cards. College student IDs are not acceptable.
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