ID and voting

[Ghel]

When I went and voted on Tuesday, all I had to do was give my name and sign next to my name on a sheet of paper in a binder. I wasn't asked for ID. They didn't compare my signature to my signature from when I registered to vote. They had no way of knowing I was who I claimed I was.

If I go to open a checking account, I have to provide two forms of ID. You can't even open a checking account in the US these days without providing at least name, address, phone number, social security number, and date of birth. And then, the bank is required to compare your name to lists of known terrorists.

Why isn't there anything like this in place with voting? I know it would take longer, but everybody should at least be required to provide ID to verify that they are who they claim they are when they go to vote.

[HYHYBT]

There *is,* at least around here. It did used to seem strange not being asked for ID... and yet, when the people checking that you're on the voter roll have known you all your life (as some of them have) then it makes sense that they might not need a card to know you are who you claim to be.

[Andara Bledin]

The reason that ID is usually not required is due to the fact that it is not required for citizens to actually have a form of photo ID if they don't want one.

Generally, requiring a photo ID at a polling place tends to disenfranchise the poorest elements of a community.

^-.-^

[Ghel]

Except that in Minnesota, to register to vote, you must either present a photo ID or, if you live in a "residential facility," bring an employee of the residential facility to verify your name and address under oath.

According to the Minnesota Secretary of State's website, if a homeless person wishes to vote, they will be asked additional questions to verify their residence, even if that is under a bridge. Or an employee of a homeless shelter can "vouch" for homeless persons under oath.

However, that is only to register. Once you're registered, all they ask you for is your name. Anybody could walk up and spout the name of a registered voter, and nobody would blink an eye. Except maybe if the person being impersonated comes by later to vote. But even if that were to happen, how would you know which ballot the impersonator used?

[Tanasi]

Here we're supposed to present our voters registration ID. If you don't have it then a stated issued ID. This is the voters reg ID would be easy to fake.
Personally I think a state issued ID should be the minimum in all states.

[Ipecac Drano]

Before I left to vote, I was worrying because I couldn't find my registration card. But when I arrived at the polls, I was simply asked for a photo ID and my driver's license was sufficient.

[joe hx]

Here in Ohio we have to show ID. Then we have to sign next to a copy of our signature in some book.

[smileyeagle1021]

In Utah you must have a state issued ID, and they will scan the barcode on it and compare the information in the state database with what is on your ID to make sure it isn't a forgery.

[Ginger Tea]

In the UK we are given an a5-ish piece of card with our name and postal address (mainly cos its mailed out) and we have to present that upon arival and it is exchanged for a voting slip.
That way you have to be able to access the house to obtain someone elses voting card, granted im in a shared house and I could have aquired another slip if I wanted to.

It also comes in handy when I have to prove my residency when getting local discount on the Cambridge Folk Festival, that or a utility bill, but I see a voting card carrying a wee bit more weight

[daleduke17]

When I lived in the city I had to show photo ID to vote. Where I live now, I normally don't show ID (most of the election judges have known me since I was a child and knew my parents before that - perks of a small town). But, if they said "Hey, I need to see ID" then I'd show it and go on.

[bhskittykatt]

I registered to vote online, and I vote by absentee, so I've never had to present ID or even deal with a person face-to-face.

The most personal info needed to register online was the last 4 of my SSN and I think also my date of birth.

[daleduke17]

I registered to vote online, and I vote by absentee, so I've never had to present ID or even deal with a person face-to-face.

The most personal info needed to register online was the last 4 of my SSN and I think also my date of birth.

What is so great about absentee voting? Why not just take the few minutes out of your day to go over to a polling place and vote then?

I understand military voting (kind of hard to make it to your polling place when you're ~10,000 miles away), but absentee voting is what makes elections take so long to figure out the result.

[AdminAssistant]

What is so great about absentee voting? Why not just take the few minutes out of your day to go over to a polling place and vote then?

A lot of college students do absentee voting so that they can vote in their home districts. Also, depending on your work schedule and the location of the polling place, it might take more than a few minutes. The only time I could go vote was at 3:30 pm. My polling location is in an elementary school. It was a mini-version of hell.

[Greenday]

What is so great about absentee voting? Why not just take the few minutes out of your day to go over to a polling place and vote then?

I understand military voting (kind of hard to make it to your polling place when you're ~10,000 miles away), but absentee voting is what makes elections take so long to figure out the result.

Well, I was in college two hours away from where I was supposed to vote during the presidential election. I couldn't miss classes so it was my only option.

[daleduke17]

Well, I was in college two hours away from where I was supposed to vote during the presidential election. I couldn't miss classes so it was my only option.

I forgot about college students who are away from home, but the work schedule thing is a bunch of crap. Polls are open (at least in Illinois) from 6a-7p, as well as workplaces are obligated to give employees adequate time off (albeit unpaid or against PTO balance) to vote.

What's so wrong with an elementary school at 330p?