State to offer free voter ID cards

Published 6:16 pm Tuesday, March 11, 2014

The state is offering free voters ID months after the state’s decision to add new requirements to vote.

According to the Alabama’s Voting website, a voter who does not have one of the approved forms of photo ID as stated in the law may receive a free Alabama photo voter ID, starting this week, from various locations including the Secretary of State’s Office, local county board of registrars’ offices and a mobile location to be determined by the Secretary of State’s Office.

Alabama’s state decision to offer voters access to a free valid photo ID comes months after the change in the voting law that now requires a voters to present valid photo identification to vote a provisional ballot.

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“If a voter does not have a valid photo ID, such as a driver’s license, nondriver ID card, or any other valid photo ID card as listed on page 7 of this guide, the voter may receive one free of charge from her or his county Board of Registrars or at the Secretary of State’s office,” Jim Bennett Secretary of State wrote in the Alabama Photo Voter ID Guide. “During the months just preceding the June 3, 2014 primary election, mobile vans will visit each county to provide eligible voters convenient locations to apply for and obtain a free Alabama photo voter ID card.”

According to the Alabama Voting website, voters can present documents showing their full legal name, date of birth and address to earn a free valid photo ID.

Although Selma resident Everlene Stallworth said she is happy they are offering free valid photo IDs, she is upset about the change in law that make a valid photo ID a requirement to vote. She said it the government’s tactic to oppress the minority community.

Other residents have a different perspective on the matter.

Selma resident Alisia Cleveland said everyone should present valid photo ID to vote without a problem, whether the government is offering free this week or not.

“Actually just being honest, you should have a valid ID anyway,” Cleveland said. “If you are using that as an excuse for a voter’s ID that’s your fault.”

Cleveland said she wondered why those who are angry about the change in law, just take the time to get a registration card and an ID.

Cleveland said all excuses for not getting the proper documentation to vote have been eliminated now that people can go to their local county of registrar office to get a free ID.

“If you can’t get up and get it, you just want something to complain about,” Cleveland said.