Electoral Horizon: Looking to vote? Get your state ID

By Dan Davis
First Posted: October 30, 2012 - 10:00 pm
Last Updated: October 30, 2012 - 10:02 pm

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Tribune photo by Aaron Piper/ From left, Margaret Hensley and Anna Mills both of Seymour help Marcella Banister fill out the paperwork required to vote early Tuesday at the Jackson County Superior Court in Seymour.

State license branches will extend their hours Monday and Election Day to ensure residents have what they need to vote.

State law requires all people voting on Election Day to show a valid, government-authorized photo identification card such as passport, military ID or a driver’s license or state identification card issued by the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles.

The law has its critics but has withstood court challenges.

Jackson County Clerk Amanda Lowery said it’s rare that a voter is turned away if he or she doesn’t have identification with them when they show up to vote at area precincts.

“The first line of defense (for poll workers) is to call the clerk’s office and verify the voter registration,” Lowery said. “Everyone has the opportunity to vote a provisional ballot, and then the voter has seven days to meet the ID requirement by bringing it to the clerk’s office.”

License branches will be open 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday and 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Election Day.

Workers will only process new, amended or replacement identification cards and renewed, amended or replacement driver’s licenses, learner permits and commercial driver’s licenses.

Other than disability placards, the branches will not perform any other services.

The agency provides free, state-issued identification cards for voting purposes to any unlicensed Hoosier, as long as he or she can provide proper documentation and is old enough to vote.

The following documents are required to obtain a new state identification card or driver’s license:

Proof of identity document, such as a birth certificate or passport.
Proof of Social Security document, such as a Social Security card, pay stub or W-2.
Proof of lawful status, such as a birth certificate or passport.
Or proof of residency, two documents such as a voter registration card, utility bill or bank statement.

A complete list can be found online at www.mybmv.IN.gov.

All license branches will resume regular business hours Nov. 7.