Voters reminded official I.D. required to vote May 2

Thursday, April 27, 2006

As the May primary election nears, Putnam County officials are reminding the public of an important requirement at the polling sites this year.

All voters are now required by law to provide a government-issued photo I.D. before casting a ballot in person at the clerk's office or at the polls on election day. The I.D. must fit the following criteria:

-- Your I.D. must display your photo.

-- Your name on the I.D. must conform with your voter registration record (conform does not mean identical).

-- Your I.D. must contain an expiration date and either still be current or have expired sometime after Nov. 2, 2004 (the last General Election day).

-- Your I.D. must be issued by the State of Indiana or the U.S. government and can include driver's license, passport, military I.D. or Indiana-issued photo I.D. card. All must contain an expiration date.

Free photo I.D. cards can be obtained from the Bureau of Motor Vehicles.

If the voter is unable or unwilling to present a photo I.D. that meets these requirements, the voter will be asked to cast a provisional ballot.

"No voter should be turned away from the polls for failing to provide photo I.D.," Putnam County Clerk Opal Sutherlin said.

After casting a provisional ballot at the polls, the voter will have 10 days to return to the clerk's office and present the proper I.D.

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