Is there any state that lets you vote without showing your ID?

[Blue_Roses]

I've lived in Louisiana, Arkansas, and Texas and ALL require ID. "Acorn-gate" needs to squashed now. I heard that dumbass "pags" and Jonah Goldberg on Larry King last blasting away even after the leader of ACORN came on to explain how this all works. She stated that by law ALL those who are registered HAVE to be turned in whether they are legitimate or no not. They do go through and "flag" the questionables, but they are not the ones who can legally disqualify someone to register to vote!

One more day talking about bullshit from the GOP:eyes:

[katandmoon]

1. I have never had to show ID to vote in MD

[Blue_Roses]

6. do you have a voter's registration card?

in my state, if you have that you don't have to show ID.

[katandmoon]

55. If I have one, I havn't seen it in so long I can't remember if I do or not! Don't have to show it.

[Honeycombe8]

85. Then they look you up in the voter rolls to verify you're registered? nt

[katandmoon]

112. Yup, all I have to do is give my name and address.

[tpi10d]

8. I've never showed ID in CA

They ask for name and street address and signature.

[Just-plain-Kathy]

53. Same here in NY. ...n/t

[mythyc]

94. same here in Cali

[BrklynLiberal]

2. I have never had to show an ID in NY

[OmmmSweetOmmm]

74. Ditto!

[ej510]

3. California I believe but I haven't went to the polls in years I vote absentee.

[shanti]

7. i'm an absentee voter in cali

but lost my ballot last time around and had to vote at a polling station. i was not asked for i.d.

[dana_b]

4. California n/t

[fishwax]

5. I don't recall having to show my ID more than once, maybe twice

(I've voted in Oklahoma and Illinois.)

[efhmc]

9. I an old Texas lady and have never needed anything but my

voter's certificate to vote and neither have any of the many relatives and voters in my precinct (I am a precinct chair.) Why the hay are you talking about?

[Blue_Roses]

12. yes, I can show voter's registration card, but if I don't have that or ID

I can't vote.

[efhmc]

28. You are wrong. As a poll worker, all I have to do is look you up

on my list. If you do not have your registration, common sense dictates that you must give me some proof that you are actually who you say you are. I and others have accepted utility bills and other items that show your name and your address. You will then get to vote. In my experience, you are much more likely to get the benefit of the doubt than not and get a ballot. Tell me where you tried to vote in Texas and had trouble (the county and the precinct).

[Blue_Roses]

108. first of all, stop with the

condescension. I have voted in Denton and Tarrant county and BOTH have required ID or voters registration cards. In FACT, last week at our Obama meet-up, we were told not only to make sure our voter's registration card are current before voting registration ended on the 6th, but that we needed to be prepared to show ID to vote. Yes, we had an extensive meeting about these issues, but that's not what concerns me. What concerns me is the voter's who have been purged due to change of address, etc.

Texas, as I'm sure you know, is not a battle ground state, however, I DID have several problems when voting in Denton county in 2000 and 2004 that I brought to the attention of the Voter's Registrar. Namely polls moving without notice and "lost" ID card.

[efhmc]

111. Knowing the law is not being condescending and here is the

law: § 63.001. REGULAR PROCEDURE FOR ACCEPTING VOTER.
(a) Except as otherwise provided by this code, acceptance of
voters shall be conducted as provided by this section and Section
63.0011.
(b) On offering to vote, a voter must present the voter's
voter registration certificate to an election officer at the
polling place.
(c) On presentation of a registration certificate, an
election officer shall determine whether the voter's name on the
registration certificate is on the list of registered voters for
the precinct.
(d) If the voter's name is on the precinct list of
registered voters, the voter shall be accepted for voting.
(e) On accepting a voter, an election officer shall indicate
beside the voter's name on the list of registered voters that the
voter is accepted for voting.
(f) After determining whether to accept a voter, an election
officer shall return the voter's registration certificate to the
voter.

You are either a victim or not telling the truth.

[seabeyond]

45. you need something so they know who you are. what if you say you are me

then i dont get to vote. dont be ridiculous.

[ReadTomPaine]

61. Not in CA and several other states. See elsewhere in this thread. n/t

[Raine]

66. Here in CA NEVER had to show ID and I don't even have

a voter registration card, they don't require it here. All you do is give them your name and they look it up and you sign your name and address...THAT'S IT.

[happyslug]

10. Pa requires ID but only the first time you vote, subsequent vote no ID needed

Now, they will check you signature with the signature on record but that is all after the first time you vote.

[HughMoran]

11. NH

.

[EC]

13. Not in WI

yet...

[lady raven]

14. I have never had to show ID, but the voter "book" requires my signature to get a ballot.

I'm in OK.

[4lbs]

15. Here in California, if you go to the polling place, you can either show your CA Driver's License/ID

or the "Sample Ballot & Voter Information Pamphlet" that they mail to you that has your name, address, and polling place written on it.

[dana_b]

29. I've never been asked to show anything.

Just signed the roster. hmmmm....

[4lbs]

31. I've always been asked for one of the two I mentioned.

I guess it differs among polling places, which is kind of sad. I actually want them to ask for some sort of identification before signing and voting.

[Raine]

68. In CA too and never had to show ANYTHING

I usually like to show them my sample ballot so it's easier for them to find my name but a couple times didn't have it and no problem...all I did was give them my name.

[xxqqqzme]

103. whoever has been asking you for ID in CA

is in violation of CA law. You are NOT required to show ANY ID in California. And I just went to poll clerk training on Friday, where that was emphasized.

While it IS true some first time voters MAY be required to show proof of residency, (or if you recently re-registered at a new address or married & changed your name) a poll worker is NOT allowed to ask for ID. Proof of residency can be your sample ballot, a utility bill, your drivers' license. If you do not have proof of residency w/ you & the voter roster has it noted - you still get to vote. It will be a provisional balllot and you will be given a phone number to call that will tell you the status of your vote - accepted or not.

FYI - Californians - it is a very good thing to take your sample ballot w/ you anyway because your voter roster number is on the back page w/ your name & address. Voter rosters are assembled by alpha streets within your precinct not by last name. Each registered voter has a number in the precinct So it is faster to find up your number so you can sign in. This greatly assists the poll clerks & helps the line move faster.

[madeline_con]

16. I was never asked until the recent local Dem primaries.

I did have to show reg card, tho. but why suddenly I.D I don't know. They told us during the Kerry/Edwards campaign we did not have to show
I.D. to vote. then there was a hoo row at one of the polling places because they were asking for I.D.s :shrug:

[napi21]

17. Why does everybody have a problem showing ID?

I understand the agruments against the State ID like they have in Ga, but what's the problem with showing someting that proves who you are?

Before you slam me, I've been a Dem all my life and I'm 65 now. When I lived in PA. the same people at the polling station knew me personally, so I never had to SHOW who I was, and now, here in Ga, I hae to show some form of ID. So what?

[Blue_Roses]

22. I have no problem showing ID...

in fact, I thought most states required it.

I'm just trying to figure out the repubs angle on this and why they keep screaming about ACORN.

[Clovis Sangrail]

25. It doesn't bother me

:shrug:

[Common Sense Party]

33. I absolutely WISH they would require ID. It would cut down on a

lot of GOP hijinx, methinks.

[WinkyDink]

38. Because in America we don't have Identity Cards, that's why.

[stillcool]

52. Now see..older people are being affected..

by the id rule more than young ones. Many of them don't drive, or have state I.D.'s, but everyone, in every state, must provide identification in order to register.

[napi21]

73. I understand there are some, mostly poor rural people, who

don't drive, and don't have the money to purchase a State ID card. But I know in Ga. at least, if you can't afford to purchase a State ID, it will be provided free, I understand more than most people. I'm 65, and cannot drive anymore. I do have a State ID, and I think it would be a lot better for the people who feel this requirement is unfair, to pool together and offer transportation to get an ID card for those who don't have access, rather than constantly arguing that they shouldn't need an ID.

Voting is not the only thing that requires an ID. Try applying for SS without one. Try buying a beer. Try getting a library card.

Maybe it would be better to fight to be able to get some valid ID issued by your local post office.

I support requiring SOME form of photo ID as a requirement to vote, NOT because it's always pushed as a Pub idea, but because it makes sense.

[stillcool]

90. I'm not understanding this...

in order to register to vote, you must provide identification in the form of a social security number or license. You must. Why is it that people think that someone can vote without having provided this information? I think it is fine to require people to also provide ID when they get to the polls, as long as every citizen is aware of the fact. I don't understand the reasoning, but if it makes people feel better I'm all for it.

[Raineyb]

95. Because it's a way to get around the old illegal poll tax

When government deliberately requires expensive ID that they know a large number of people (conveniently Democratic leaning for the Republicans who favor these ridiculous ID requirements) won't be able to vote. Voter fraud is not the huge overreaching problem that the Repukes scream it is in order to get these ID laws in place. Election fraud is and it is the Republicans with their voter roll purges and voter challenges that engage in this activity. The default should be that everyone gets to vote. Republicans don't believe in this that's why they fight to throw as many barriers to voting as possible.

I registered to vote as a senior in high school at 17 years old. My 18th birthday passed a couple of months before election day and I have never had to show any ID to vote. Not one time. I sign the book, go to the machine and vote. I see no reason why they need to see any ID and since this country does not require you to carry national ID I see no reason why making people feel better is a legitimate reason to start showing it.

Regards

[stillcool]

98. it seems that people are under the impression..

that people can vote without providing identification when they register. I don't know why this is, as we all must do this in order to vote.

[Raineyb]

99. Apparently some people think it's okay to try to impose a new poll tax at the polls

Your comment completely ignores the point of my post which is the requirement of ID at the polling place which you think is okay as per the post I responded to. Do you plan to address what I actually said or continue to toss out strawmen which have nothing to do with the actual argument being made.

BTW the requirements for registering to vote? Your DMV number (if you have a license or a non-drivers ID which you can apply for at the same time you register) or the last 4 digits of your social security number (something everyone generally has) and even if you don't have one there's a box for that.

Regards

[stillcool]

100. Excuse me?

My comment was..."it seems that people are under the impression..that people can vote without providing identification when they register. I don't know why this is, as we all must do this in order to vote."

No one votes without providing identification. No one.
http://www.eac.gov/files/voter/nvra_update.pdf
I have no idea why it would be necessary to provide further identification at the polling place. I have no idea how they would check that identification against my name and address that gets crossed off every time I vote. The fact that people are unaware of the fact that identification is already confirmed, and are therefore pushing to implement a requirement that all people must provide ID at the polling place is one born of ignorance..However, I believe that if anyone has to show ID, that requirement should be made known to every citizen in those states. I don't know how they would do that.

[Raineyb]

105. Perhaps I misunderstood. It looked as though you had no problem

with requiring additional identification after registration which is what the voter fraud people always cry about.

My mistake. I apologize.

Regards

[stillcool]

106. No problem..I think the..

problem here is that people seem to have forgotten filling out their voter registration form.

[Eric J in MN]

18. MN.

NT

[AlCzervik]

19. i live in Ca and i had to show my id the first time i voted after i moved here.

i always have it with me but i'm never asked for it.

[KathieG]

20. I have to show my ID here in Florida

[Hansel]

21. Minnesota

[Quixote1818]

23. New Mexico. nt

[Iwasthere]

24. Oregon!

We mail in our ballots. The whole country should be like us

[VenusRising]

26. I never had to show ID or voter registration in Texas.

We went to our precinct, gave our name, signed the book next to our name, and went to the booth. That was 1992-2000.

I moved to Ohio and haven't had to show anything except a bill or bank statement with my name and address on it.

[efhmc]

35. Still true in Texas. I do not know what this person is talking about.

[autorank]

27. Here's a list of voter identification requirements

http://www.ncsl.org/programs/legismgt/elect/taskfc/voteridreq.htm

It's up to date. The first group, seven or so, require photographic identification. These are the
anti democracy states with a vengeance. About 10-15% of any states population consists of people
without drivers licenses or other forms of voter id. This group tends to be poor, minority, and
very Democratic when allowed to vote.

The introduction of these laws is an attempt to suppress those votes for racial or political reasons.

The Indiana photo ID law was challenged in the Supreme Court. It was upheld with a majority
opinion by Justice Stevens of all people. It's pathetic, the decision.

Here's an article if you're interested:


Polite Fascism Contracts the Right to Vote: Another Supreme Outrage

http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0805/S00179.htm

This is an extended footnote form the article above that shows how weak the court's reasoning was.
The extended note from the article dissects the proof used by Justice Stevens to support his
decision upholding the blatantly anti democratic Indiana photo ID law.

http://www.electionfraudnews.com/Articles/Footnotes.htm

Good luck out there. Just remember, if you voted in your states primary, you're fully qualified
to vote in the general. Any challenges are b.s.

[Princess Turandot]

30. As BrklynLiberal noted, they don't ask for ID in NYC..

They prepare spiral bound books for each election, with lists of voters registered in an election district. The entry for a voter has a facsimile of their signature; you sign your name in a provided space in the list. I assume they are supposed to challenge someone whose signature doesn't match. (I usually bring an ID just in case.)

[RoadRage]

32. I'm in NE.. no id here.. YET

But, as soon as Omaha goes for Obama, I'm sure we'll have to start showing them. :)

[efhmc]

34. You are spreading misinformation. If you have your voter's

registration, you do not need any id to vote in TEXAS.

[dysfunctional press]

36. when i was an election judge, we never asked for i.d., unless the signature didn't match.

i've never had to show one to vote in illinois.

[WinkyDink]

37. Don't need ID here in PA. Just a signature check.

[kerry-is-my-prez]

39. they only started making you have an id in florida in 2004

[TankLV]

40. If I remember all the last time, I'm pretty sure I just sign by my name in Nevada.

Same when I voted in New York and Hawaii when I lived there, too...

[Blondiegrrl]

41. I don't recall ever having to show I.D. here in West Virginia.

During the primary, all I had to do was walk in and give them my name, then sign the ledger. The poll workers then compared the signatures and gave me my voting material.

[virgdem]

42. Yes, Virginia does not require an ID to be shown

eom

[stuntcat]

107. 2nd on Virginia.

I always take my ID AND my voter card but they never ask for them, they just check me off their list.

[seabeyond]

43. i have never had to show id voting in texas. my hubby was asked once out of many times

and he said, no not the law, all you need is registration and that was the end of it. all the times i have voted i have never been asked, and dont carry it on me for a reason.

[trackfan]

44. I've lived in CA all my life, and voted since 1978, and haven't had to show ID once. n/t

[Left Is Write]

46. I've never had to show ID in Idaho, and I don't remember having to show it in MN either.

May have had to show it both places when registering.

[bicentennial_baby]

47. Never had to in MA

In any place I've lived here.

[FLyellowdog]

48. I'm a FL resident (I know, I know).

During one election I remember we had to show our Voter Registration Card, then for another we didn't have to show anything, they had a list that we signed, then the last Primary we had to show our Driver's License or photo ID.

Hey, it's Florida and we don't know what the heck we're doing down here...except for this time.

AND THIS TIME WE'RE GOING DEMOCRAT ALL THE WAY, no matter what we have to do to prove we're eligible to vote.

[Okie4Obama]

49. No ID requirements in Oklahoma, but they are trying to pass new law requiring one.

[TooRaLoo]

56. Unless you're a new voter/newly registered. nt

[stillcool]

50. All states require voter identification..

in order to register. Some states require to see that identification again when you vote. In my state I walk in, they find my name in their sheets, cross it off, they give me a ballot and I vote. I have no idea what the ID is all about at the polls. Do they have something to check it against? Do the lists they have contain SS#'s and License #'s next to your name and address?
Here are rules about registration..and registration forms.
http://www.eac.gov/files/voter/nvra_update.pdf

[trixie]

51. I never have had to in MI

[Diamonique]

93. Neither have I. But the law has changed in MI evidently.

I checked their web site. Photo ID is a requirement.. HOWEVER, if you don't have a photo ID you can sign an affidavit and they let you vote.

I had to check on this because my son's wallet was stolen, and he doesn't have everything he needs to get his ID replaced in time for election day.

[blue_onyx]

96. Yes, the law changed

I had to show my ID for the first time during the August primary. Either that or you have to agree to sign an affidavit. I think it's wrong to have to show an ID. People should be able to just show up and vote...it's our Constitutional right.

[BanzaiBonnie]

54. In all my years of voting in Washington state

I never saw anyone required to show ID.

Of course now we vote by mail only. I do miss going into a booth to vote.

[Roxy66]

57. Oregon!!

[Liberal_in_LA]

58. I never show it in California

[Iggo]

59. California. (n/t)

[Terran]

60. Missouri

Our SCt struck down the Voter ID law the repugs enacted.

[Beregond2]

62. No ID is required in WA or OR as far as I know.

[FlyingSquirrel]

63. WA (last time I voted, anyway)

Don't know if it's changed.

[Raine]

64. Never ever shown one here in California since

I came of age here to vote in 1972.

[truthisfreedom]

65. Minnesota. I've never had to show my ID. Just give my name and address, and sign the roll.

Vote, walk away and smile with my Democratic friends.

[mcctatas]

67. WI

and you can register on voting day!

[cali]

69. In Vermont you need no ID at all.

I go to the polls. They check my name against the voter list. They give me my paper ballot. I go to one of the cardboard voting stations, and with a pencil, put an X by the name of the candidate I choose.

Love it.

[bklyncowgirl]

70. I've lived in NY and NJ and have never had to show ID. nt

[Raven]

71. Never in NH. n/t

[sammytko]

72. I've never shown an ID in Texas. If I don't have my card, then I'll show my

DL and they let me vote.

[Honeycombe8]

86. Yes, that's it. If voter doesn't have reg. card, he must show ID, like a DL, and they look up

the voter in the voter reg. rolls to make sure he's registered.

That's the way it is in both LA and TX.

[bunnies]

75. In NH all you have to do is say your name. nt

[MaineDem]

77. Same here in Maine. No ID. n/t

[rainbow4321]

76. TX does but they have multiple definitions of "ID"

It can be a current utility bill, government check, paycheck, or other gov. document that shows your name and address. Those can be used if you have no TX driver's license, social security number/card, or current and
valid ID.
The above info is from a voter registration card under "ID requirement".

[bowens43]

78. I've never been asked to show an ID in North Carolina.

[BlooInBloo]

79. (facepalm)

[JBear]

80. Until this year no state could legally require ID...

That said, many localities were never policed and so were asking. In my mostly republican district, I have never been asked for ID...then again, the guy who usually hands me the ballot is my neighbor. I have heard that in other neighborhoods, particularly lower income neighborhoods, people were asked.

:bounce:

[frickaline]

81. No ID required in Massachusetts

I usually get asked for my registration information (name & address that I used when I registered) but I think here it would be considered a poll tax to require ID.

[Madam Mossfern]

82. Not in New Jersey

Just go in-say hi to the nice people sitting at the table, tell them your name and they ask you to sign "the book", sign again on a little numbered piece of paper which you then give to the nice person at the voting machine who says "ready" and then you vote.

At least that's how it is in my town. Now we're a town of 13,000 so just about everyone knows who you are anyway. And if you don't when the people at the table see your address they're likely to say "Hey, you live right near Artie Smith, do you know him?"

Great town.

edit: really bad grammatical errors-left the little ones for those nit pickers to feel good about catching

[Honeycombe8]

83. TX does NOT require you show ID when you vote. If you had to, then that was just your precinct.

I live in Dallas County. If a voter has his voter registration card, he doesn't have to show ID, with or without a photo. If a voter does not have his voter registration, I would imagine that everywhere in the country you'd have to show some sort of ID to prove you are who you say you are, of course.

[Honeycombe8]

84. I've lived in LA & TX. Neither state requires you show ID when voting, if you have yur reg.card. nt

[demodonkey]

87. PA -- only have to show ID the first time you are voting in a new precinct.

After that one time, you simply have to sign the register and your signature is supposed to be your ID.

[WritingIsMyReligion]

88. Maine.

No ID necessary, I believe. You just have to be able to say your name and address. You can also register to vote at the polls on election day and still vote, and there are absolutely no touch-screen voting things--the whole state is fill in the bubble with pencil, I think, by law.

[MaineDem]

92. Many parts of the state are "put an X in the box"

We still count many ballots by hand here in Maine.

[WritingIsMyReligion]

89. Dupe.

:eyes:

[cyr330]

91. I live in California

and I have NEVER had to show an ID to vote.

[crispini]

97. Texas does not require ID if you have your voter registration card.

Election judge here. :hi:

[treestar]

101. DE, never had to until the 2008 primary

I figured it had something to do with the REAL ID act or something. Or just general clamp-down on everything ID related.

[livedemocarticordie]

102. I have lived all over the place..

When I live in Massachusetts, I was never asked for ID. I live in DC now. I have never been asked for ID here either.

[asdjrocky]

104. I've voted in Ca most of my life=

Never once have they asked me for ID, and that's the way it should be. My name is on your list, now let me vote becuse it's my RIGHT!

[mantis49]

109. I've never showed ID in IL. n/t

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

110. Not in Minnesota.

[Mz Pip]

113. I've never had to

though most of the tinme I vote absentee.

[zulchzulu]

114. If you are registered and on the rolls in Wisconsin, you don't need a photo ID

You can register to vote the same day as the election with a valid photo ID AND some bill or whatever that shows your address in Wisconsin.

[ferrferr]

115. I don't think I had to in NV