As of January 2012, voters in Tennessee will need a government-issued photo ID to vote at the polls. Voters will still be able to cast absentee or provisional ballots without a photo ID.
For most people, the identification form of choice will just be a driver license. However, tens of thousands of driver licenses in Tennessee do not meet the minimum requirements to gain entry to the polls.
“Approximately 126,000 people in Tennessee have a valid driver’s license that does not have their picture on it,” said Evonne Hoback, McMinn County Clerk. “The new voter ID law says you need an ID that has your name and your photograph.”
Tennessee allows people older than 60 to get a non-photo driver license. Many of those were obtained by submitting for a license renewal via the mail.
“I took the lazy way out when it came time to renew my driver’s license. I just did it by mail and chose the non-picture option,” said Carole Cinci of McMinn County. “I would not have done that if I knew the law would be changed where I needed a picture to vote. I came to the clerk’s office today to get my picture added to my license so I can vote in the next election.”
Full Article: Clerks issue free photo-licenses for voter ID law | wbir.com.