Picture This: Few Attend Voter Photo ID Meeting

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Although turnout was disappointing at the Town Hall Meeting Tuesday night, those in attendance got to voice their opinion on the State Legislature and Government.

The purpose of the meeting was to raise awareness of the new law requiring voters to present a valid ID before voting in any election beginning in January of 2012.

Only 12 people were in attendance Tuesday at Woodbury Grammar School as Wayne Pruitt of the State Election Office was on  hand to answer questions on the subject.  Comments ranged from complaints about the long lines at the various Tennessee Department Of Safety locations when getting a photo ID, to concerns that people won't vote as a result of the new law.  

Acceptable forms of photo ID a voter can present before voting at the polls include a Tennessee Drivers License with the person's photo, United States Passport, Department of Safety Photo ID, Photo ID issued by the federal or State government. United States Military Photo ID or a Gun permit card with a person's photo on it.

Those ID's do not have to be current, they can be expired.  Photo ID's not acceptable are Bank Cards, College Student Photo ID card, or any photo ID card not issued by the federal or state government.  City or County Issued ID cards are not acceptable.  

People exempt by the law are voters who vote absentee by mail.  Voters who are residents in a licensed nursing home or assisted living center and who vote at the facility. Voters who are hospitalized. Voters with a religious objection to being photographed and voters who are indigent and are unable to obtain a photo ID without paying a fee.

Most of these people who fall under the exempt status will have to fill out paperwork or sign affidavits accordingly.

If a person does not bring a photo ID to the polling place and the person is not exempt, they will be able to vote with a provisional ballot.

Afterwards the person will have two business days after the election to return to the county election commission office to show a valid photo ID.

Voters are allowed to obtain a free photo ID from the Tennessee Department Of Safety as long as they request one specifically for voting purposes.

The Woodbury meeting was the fourth stop of the day for Pruitt, who visited Sparta, Pikeville and Smithville. Pruitt reported that the turnout at each stop was similar to that of Woodbury's with only 10-15 people in attendance at each stop. It was also reported that Carthage didn't have anyone turnout at their Town Hall meeting.

If anyone needs any information about the new law they are encouraged to call the County Election Commission Office at 563-5650.
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Members Opinions:
November 02, 2011 at 10:35am
I have been showing my ID since 9/11. I am missing something here, what is new about this? Besides most of us have to drive to the polling place AND we have our Drivers License with us. No big deal
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November 02, 2011 at 12:29pm
I WONDER HOW MANY PEOPLE WILL SHOW UP AND WILL ALL OF A SUDDEN BE INDIGENT AND NOT HAVE BEEN ABLE TO PAY THE FEE. WHAT IS THE BIG DEAL ABOUT THE PICTURES IF THERE ARE ALOT OF PROVISIONS AVAILABLE, ALL THE PERSON HAS TO DEAL WITH IS THE RED TAPE.
November 03, 2011 at 6:49am
Voting, one of the great freedoms we have in this nation shouldn't be a "big deal" nor should it involve a lot of "red tape."

Once again the DNJ has an article this AM that shows why voting for some has become a "big deal" and does involve "red tape."


A right, not a priviledge, that is a fundamental as freedom of speech, assembly or religion should not require one to sit for a hour or more and drive for sixty miles and endure a harangue from some clerk just to be able to show up in person on election day and vote.

It is foolish to talk about "indigent" not being able to pay--voting shouldn't require a poll tax to begin with and the prattle about those who have the proper ID shows a lack of understanding of what a voting right is and must be and what theis law is trying to do.
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November 03, 2011 at 10:41am
I suggest you read the column by Ron Ramsey in yesterday's edition of the DNJ instead of the liberal garbage Sam Stockard promotes.

Sam Stockard and MMW are attempting to use nothing but false information and scare tactics to try and discredit a law that should have been in place for the last fifty years.

MMW with as much crying and complaining you have done and time you have spent trolling on this site you could have took a bus load of people and got their FREE ID.

Here is the voting process if you show up in person to vote:

You are somehow transported to the voting precinct, you wait in line, you pull out your photo ID and prove who you are, you sign in and you step behind the screen to vote.

You can call that "red tape" all you want MMW, but I call it an easy process that anyone with any ability to function in life can do.

Also, you lie once again when you imply there is a "poll tax". The entire process is FREE. The ID costs NOTHING!

And to beat this dead horse again, you don't have to drive anywhere. Vote absentee and stay at the house and cry about something else.

Oh, and "vote often" and commit voter fraud as you have stated you intend to do and convince other members of your party to do so also.

I think Shakespeare said it best when he said "Me thinks he doth protest too much".
I wonder why it is such a big deal to you and all of the other Democrats who are against this unless you really are intent on committing voter fraud. I thought you all would be excited about the government giving you something for FREE. You want everything else in life handed to you on a silver platter; I don’t know why you would complain about a FREE ID.
November 11, 2011 at 1:25pm
If MMW had gone to this town hall meeting for the photo ID they would have found out that the one giving the answers to the questions was a Democrat and that the Democrats helped to sponsor this law.

I get tired of this party line fuss that goes on by the uneducated, which by the way this meeting was to educate the citizens about the photo ID law. Last I heard if you have an expired driver's license with a photo you could use that as verification of who you are. You may want to visit www.cannoncountyelection.com for information.
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