Photo Identification for Voting in Tennessee

Beginning January 1, 2012, all [Tennessee] voters must present an ID, meeting the requirements below, containing the voter's name and photograph, whether voting early or on Election Day. These requirements DO NOT apply to elections in 2011.

What form of photo ID do I need to bring?

• Tennessee driver's license with your photo;
• United States Passport;
• Department of Safety photo ID;
• Photo ID issued by the federal or state government;
• United States Military photo ID; or
• Gun permit card with your photo

What forms of photo ID are NOT acceptable?

• A college student photo ID
• A photo ID not issued by the federal or state government

Who is exempt?

• Voters who vote absentee by mail. (View requirements to vote absentee at http://www.tn.gov/sos/election/bymail.htm)
• 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
• Voters who are indigent and unable to obtain a photo ID without paying a fee

What if I don't bring a photo ID to the polling place?

• If you do not bring a photo ID and you are not exempt (see above exemptions), you must vote a provisional ballot.
• You will then have two (2) business days after the election to return to the county election commission office to show a valid photo ID.

What if I don't have a photo ID?

• You may obtain a free photo ID from the Tennessee Department of Safety.

For More Informtion: Click Here

TO TAKE ACTION LOCALLY IN NASHVILLE, Volunteer to be a Poll Watcher Click Here.

TAKE ACTION: TN Voter Photo ID Talking Points for Letters to the Editor

Why We are Against the Photo ID to Vote Law

The requirements necessary for Tennesseans to comply with the law are excessive and restrictive. The law itself is very confusing. We are taking away people's right to vote, telling them that they have to have a very specific government-issued photo ID to get it back, and confusing them in the process.

Who Will Be Affected?

• Government-issued photo ID restrictions on voting disproportionately affect people of color, young voters, seniors and people with disabilities.
• An Advancement Project study show that 11 percent of eligible voters don't have updated, government-issued photo IDs: 25 percent of African Americans, 15 percent of those earning less than $35,000, 18 percent of citizens age 65 or older and 20 percent of voters age 18 to 29. Details here: (http://www.advancementproject.org/news/press_releases/2011/04/advancement-project-report-highlights-perils-of-photo-id-proposals
• Hundreds of thousands of Tennesseans of legal voting age do not have the necessary government-issued photo ID required to vote. That number includes 126,000 seniors who, according to the Department of Safety, are registered to vote but do not have a government-issued drivers license with a photo.
• This law will affect seniors, but it will also affect the disabled community, people who work two and three jobs just to make ends meet and don't have the luxury of taking the time off work to stand in line at the driver services center to get a photo ID, and people in rural communities.
• Transportation is difficult and costly for many people + seniors and people with disabilities who do not drive; Tennesseans working 2 and 3 jobs and don't have the luxury of taking time off to get to a Driver Services Center and then wait in line for hours (and losing hourly wages!); many rural counties, where there may not be public transportation,makes it even more challenging. The Devil is in the Details
• The photo ID restrictions are excessive -
• Even though the government-issued photo ID is free the documents required to get even a free photo ID are very specific and excessively restrictive and for some more vulnerable Tennesseans, very difficult to obtain: You must present proof of U.S. Citizenship AND a primary proof of identity with full name and date of birth AND a secondary proof of identity AND a proof of name change if different from name on primary ID AND TWO proofs of Tennessee residency. (see: http://www.tn.gov/safety/driverlicense/idonly.shtml)
• Tennessee has 95 counties in Tennessee and only about half of them have the driver services facilities that print the required government issues IDs needed to satisfy this law (see: http://www.tn.gov/safety/driverlicense/dllocationserv.shtml#full). That means people in rural communities have to travel two and three counties away.

TO TAKE ACTION LOCALLY IN NASHVILLE, Volunteer to be a Poll Watcher Click Here.

Courtesy: ProtectTheVoteTN.org

Distributed by LWV-Nashville Voter Services Committee

From Nashville's President...

New year, new adventures, new opportunities to serve our community. Presidential election years always increase voter interest and turnout. Across the country the process will be complicated by new districts resulting from the 2010 Census, an every decade event chronicling population increases and shifts in the United States. Tennessee also has a new photo ID voting law complicating how and if registered voters will be allowed to cast their vote. The League did not support the photo ID bill because it is discriminatory and risks disenfranchising thousands of Tennessee's eligible voters as well as costing untold implementation dollars that are needed elsewhere and were not accounted for in its recorded "insubstantial" fiscal note that accompanied the bill's proposal.

As LWVUS President Elisabeth MacNamara pointed out in her remarks on November 14, 2011 to the United States House Judiciary Committee titled "Excluded From Democracy: The Impact Of Recent State Voting Changes," standing up for citizen franchise has always been a major tenet of League work. "The League has been fighting for equal access to the polls since our inception 91 years ago, when our organization was formed by those who successfully fought to gain the right to vote for women. This year the League actively opposed voter suppression legislation in 21 states--we were successful in protecting the vote in 13 of those states but the remaining states [including Tennessee] did create new and in some cases insurmountable barriers to the polls.

"These new laws threaten to silence the voices of those least heard and rarely listened to in this country--the poor, the elderly, racial and ethnic minorities, the young and the differently abled. Now is the time to act. We must work together to repeal these unjust and prejudicial laws and implement new laws that will lower the barriers to voting and ensure that every eligible citizen will have the ability to vote and have their votes counted."

The state and Nashville Leagues are committed to encouraging, educating, registering, and helping you exercise your franchise (see LWVTN President Margie Parsley's January 8, 2012 Tennessean Tennessee Voices). We want everyone to know their correct polling place--have the required photo identification--know when and where to change their address or name, if such changes have occurred since they last voted. To that end, we need every member to join in the solution by volunteering for Voter Service activities and the 2012 Poll Watching Project. Training will be provided (see the Voter Service article for more details).

Our Tennessee General Assembly has reconvened providing daily opportunities to observe first hand what's happening at the Legislature. Work with the LWVN Observer Corps; participate in the State Action Committee; attend the Annual Clifton Government Relations Legislative Skills Training & Tour; read the Legislative Reports that you receive weekly from our LWVTN lobbyist Stewart Clifton; stay in contact with your legislator; volunteer to host League coffees for your legislators so that you, your neighbors, and fellow League members can learn their perspective on current legislative trends. Be part of the hands-on work leading to civic improvement--and your own civic awareness.

I hope for all good things for every one of you this year. I am proud to have so many people from so many walks of life involved in League and look forward to working with you on multiple issues. See you soon!

In League, Jo Singer

GET INVOLVED WITH THE LEAGUE

WE NEED YOU TO GET INVOLVED WITH THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF NASHVILLE

Consistent Voter Services

League members can impact the election process by volunteering to help educate the citizens of the community and provide opportunities for voter registration. Voter education and voter registration opportunities are continuous but peak during election years. Get involved by:

• Planning and participating in candidate forums
• Conducting voter registration drives at events such as the All About Women Conference and the Mayor's First Day of School Festival and assist other groups with drives
• Speaking to groups on the voting process: community associations, schools, and GED classes
• Working with others, such as the Tennessee Disability Coalition, to ensure access to the polls
• Serving as poll observers on election days
• Observing meetings of the Davidson County Election Commission
• Monitoring and studying the election process
• Supporting adequate resources for the election process

Strategic and Effective Issue Advocacy

League members can impact public policy by educating the public about issues important to good government and community well-being, and advocating for League positions on key issues. Because we live in the state capital, Nashville League members work on both local and state issues. We also answer calls to action from the LWVUS when issues are pending in Congress. Whatever your interests, you can get involved!

Specifically, the League advocates for access to health care; education to prepare students for responsible citizenry and the economy of the future; good stewardship of our natural resources; election processes that are fair and secure; and ethics and transparency in government. League members interested in issue advocacy can participate by:

• Educating our members and the community by writing articles in the Voter, submitting op-ed columns, or planning and conducting public forums
• Advocating for League positions on critical issues by writing or talking to elected officials

The League is a grass roots organization, guided by positions adopted by its members at all three League levels--local, state, and national. To learn more about the issues identified and supported by members, go to our ISSUES Page.

Please tell us how you would like to become involved by calling (615) 297-7134 or sending an email to info@LWVNasvhille.org or president@LWVNashville.org

Join the League!

To join the League, click here: Membership to jump to our membership page where you will find our on-line or mail-in membership options. As a member you can serve on one of our committees, volunteer to work a voter registration booth, organize a candidate debate, write letters to your elected officials, work at the polls, etc. We encourage you to let us know your interests and area(s) of expertise. There is plenty to be done and we welcome your participation!

Make a Donation!

If you prefer to donate to us without joining our organization, we would appreciate your support. Your donations help the League provide voter services, sponsor forums, participate in community events and be a strong advocate for good government policy.