License Bureaus extend hours before election
Photo ID required to vote in Primary
Wanda English Burnett - Editor

Being registered to vote will not be enough to get the job done in the Primary election, May 2. You will be required to provide a photo ID before your ballot can be counted.

In an effort to minimize voter fraud, the office of the Indiana Secretary of State has launched several new efforts, photo ID being one. Secretary Todd Rokita says his office has completed a week-long test of its new statewide voter file. This will help local election administrators manage voter rolls so duplicates can be reduced, voters who are deceased are taken off the rolls, making the election process more accurate and efficient.

Having to produce ID at the polls is another way Rokita believes voter fraud can be reduced.

According to Ripley County Clerk Ginger Bradford, the requirements of photo ID at the polls include:

• The document must show the name of the individual to whom the document was issued, and this name must conform to the name in the individual’s voter registration record. (Note: conform does not mean “match identically”)

• The document must show a photograph of the individual to whom the document was issued.

• The document must include an expiration date, and the document is either (A) not expired; or (B) expired after November 2, 2004.

• The document was issued by the State of Indiana or the United States.

While many people will simply be able to use their driver’s licenses as their photo ID, what about those who do not have them?

Student ID’s with a current head shot for those 18 and up could be used, as well as an up-to-date passport.

The best suggestion for those wanting to exercise their right to vote if they don’t have a driver’s license is to go to the local license branch to get a personal, up-to-date ID card.

You will need to take proper identification to the license branch, which includes one primary document, one item of secondary documentation and proof of Indiana residence.

Primary documents include an original birth certificate, valid foreign passport with a visa indicating duration of stay in the U.S., or a permanent resident card.

Secondary documents would include a bank statement, valid Indiana gun permit, Medicare or Medicaid insurance card, valid major credit or bankcard, valid out-of-sate driver’s license, US military discharge, US divorce decree or US marriage license.

Proof of residence could be a child support check, change of address confirmation form from the US Postal Service, a current bill or benefit statement issued within the past 60 days.

For more information on what kinds of IDs that are acceptable, how to obtain an ID, absentee voting and documents necessary for an ID, you can log on to www.PhotoID.IN.gov.

Rokita’s office continued to train poll workers and county clerk on the new photo ID requirement.

Public Law 109-2005 requires Indiana residents to present a qualified photo ID before casting a ballot at the polls on election day.

So remember, when you leave to vote on May 2, don’t forget your photo ID, whether it be a driver’s license or personal ID card (green and white card that has the person’s name and address and a head shot photo taken at the license branch).

License branches in Ripley County include one at Batesville, 1132 Tekulve Str. 3, hours Tuesday, 8:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.; Wednesday and Thursday, 8:30 a.m to 5 p.m.; and Saturday from 8:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. The phone number is 812-934-3247.

The Versailles License Branch located at 829 S. Adams Street, is open Wednesday and Friday from 8:30 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. and Saturday from 8:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. The phone number is 812-689-5245.

All Indiana license branches will be open on May 1 and May 2, in an effort to assist people with getting the proper ID needed to vote. Hours on Monday, May 1, will be from 8:30 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. and on Tuesday, May 2, from 6:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m., according to John Johanssen, Indianapolis BMV.