BOISE, Idaho — Cities and counties across Idaho are set for the November 7th election, mark your calendars. With recent changes to voter ID laws there are questions about what ID you can use, and how to register to vote.
Some pointed to the Secretary of State’s site as a spot for possible confusion. So, let’s set it straight. Idaho Secretary of State Phil McGrane explains.
“There was some confusion in terms of how it was laid out. There are different requirements to register to vote just slightly than there are requirements to vote. So we've clarified on the website just saying it should be an Idaho driver's license, passport or in the others that I mentioned. But I think that's where I don't know that there's actually confusion. But I think we've got that fixed,” McGrane said.
An intricacy in the law centers on student IDs.
The question: “Can you use a student ID next Tuesday?
“Next Tuesday, If you're already registered to vote, you can use your student ID to show up and vote. This will actually be the last elections. That's the case. Beginning January 1st, student IDs will no longer be accepted as a form ID for a form of ID for voting. So that change is coming. And also, if you're a student and you don't have a driver's license, passport, or one of the other forms of ID, the free ID is also available to students,” McGrane said.
If you are not registered to vote already, you still can at the polls on election day. To do that, you cannot use a student ID.
“You cannot use a student to register to vote, but you can use it for voting. Honestly, from our perspective, this is also very confusing for us and the poll workers just having two different forms in terms of what the ID requirements are to register versus vote. The new laws do try to make those harmonious so that they will be the same in terms of ID requirements,” McGrane said.
So, to register to vote you need an Approved Photo Identification: Idaho driver’s license or identification card, U.S. Passport or Federal photo Identification card, Tribal Identification card, or a Concealed weapons license issued by a County Sheriff in Idaho.
You also need Proof of Residence Documents easiest one, any of the photo IDs just mentioned with correct residence address. Here are others you can use as well:
-Current proof of insurance
-Deed of trust, mortgage, lease or rental agreement
-A property tax assessment, bill, or receipt
-A utility bill, excluding a cellular telephone bill
-A bank or credit card statement
-A paystub, paycheck, or government-issued check
-Another word keyed in on for voting and registration is: “current ID.”
“Some people are asking about whether it needs to be current or not. And one of the big things is we don't actually see people using noncurrent driver's licenses to try and register to vote or to vote, for that matter. Most people, when their license expires, go and update it. So we don't see issues with that. If you show your driver's license when you show up to vote, it will be accepted by the poll workers or be recognized by the electronic poll books that are used at the polls,” McGrane said.
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