Question on voter identificaiton thugs.

[Sara Beverley]

Do voter have to show ID to just anyone who asks them or are they only required to show ID to the poll workers? How does the "challenge" process work? If a stranger walks up to me and says "prove your identification and prover where you live" I might just slap them in the face. So who do voters really have to answer to at the polls?

[gmoney]

1. I believe voters answer to poll workers

Challengers raise the flag with the official, and the official then decides if the voter is legit or not. I believe the official can disregard the challenges and/or ask the challenger to leave if they are disrupting or delaying the process unduly... I think

[MockSwede]

4. Contested voters

Correct. Pollworkers make decision. That decision can be contested by potential voter. Can TELL pollworker that they want to cast provisional ballot - required to accept. Will be counted as regular vote EXCEPT in case of recount, then the provisional ballot and the voter behind it will be questioned. Different criteria in each jurisdiction, but provisional ballot is a FEDERAL requirement.

[eriffle]

2. To vote

All you have to do is clearly speak your name or otherwise communicate it to the poll worker. If you are not in the precinct book or you name has changed, or you have never voted before you need to produce identification that proves you are who you say you are and you live where you're registered. This could be a drivers license, and if your license does not have your registered address (recently moved, college student, etc) any bill (credit card, utility, tuition) with your name and your registered address will suffice. If the poll worker still has doubts, you STILL CAN VOTE! you will fill out a provisional ballot and it will be counted after the other votes have been counted and will be challenged on a case by case basis.

on edit: bad speeellling

[Sara Beverley]

3. This is scary because there are many people who may be frightened,

and some elderly are very submissive to anyone hinting of authority. I can see a lot of minorities being intimidated and starying home or being turned away without a fight because some jerk steps forward and asks for ID. I hope the Dems are putting monitors in heavily populated minority areas so these people have someone to turn to for real help.

[MockSwede]

5. Alternative

CAN ALWAYS VOTE AT THE CITY HALL, even if turned out by any precinct, even if that's the one you're registered to vote. Homeless people claim the address of the city or town hall as their address and get to vote there as residents. ANYONE can vote at city hall. This is the best place to get provisional ballot submitted.

We WILL have volunteers at most polling places to help. Most also will have volunteer attorneys outside to help folks. They will have IDs to stand out. Pollworkers will be introduced to these people as will the other DEM volunteers.

I'll be coordinating the voting day activity office here and we will be busier than one armed paper hangers.

My suggestion is that EVERYONE volunteer to help others AFTER they vote! (I already voted absentee.)

KERRY IN A LANDSLIDE