Show #361 Airing Sunday, 10/29/06
When you go to the polls this November 7th, you want your vote to count. This year, there are new ID requirements. Plus it’s not too late to vote absentee, and there are new rules there too. Here to explain how you can be a winner at the polls is Stephen Werber, a professor of law at Cleveland Marshall College of Law, Cleveland State University.
Question: When we go to the polls this year, we'll be required to bring ID in order to vote. What will we need to bring?
Answer: You will need a current and valid photo ID issued by the federal or state government. This can be a driver's license, a state ID card, a military ID, or an ID for a government building. By current, that means that it is not expired. If you've moved and it has the wrong address, it's still considered current if it's not expired.
If you don't have a photo ID, you can bring alternative documents such as utility bills, bank statements, or government checks. However, these documents must have a current address.
You may also bring "other government documents." That can refer to your passport, because it has your address. They will not accept your Medicare card, because there is no address.
Your notice from the Board of Elections itself does not work for the ID requirement.
Question: And if we go to the polls without such ID?
Answer: You will go to the presiding judge, who is not a judge, but the poll worker in charge. He/She will tell you your rights concerning provisional ballots.
If you want a provisional ballot at that time and location, you will have to fill out the paperwork there. If you don't have time for that, you can go to the Board of Elections (on Euclid Avenue) to fill out the forms up to 10 days after the election. (This is why close election results may very well be delayed due to provisional ballot counting).
Question: What about absentee voting?
Answer: The Board of Elections anticipates that there will be 100,000 absentee votes. Now, you can choose to vote absentee without a reason such as hospitalization, or being out-of-state.
You need to receive the ballot by November 4th. Your filled out ballot must be in the hand of the Board of Elections by 7:30 p.m. on Election Day, November 7th. If you mail it on Election Day, it will not count!
Question: This sounds like it could be confusing. Where can you get more information?
Answer: At the Board of Elections:
2925 Euclid Avenue
or 216-443-3298
or www.boe.cuyahogacounty.us
The website can be very helpful by answering your questions, making sure you are registered properly, and giving you an online tutorial for the new electronic voting machines.
However, computer systems are not fail-proof. For instance, I looked online and it told me that I was not registered to vote. So I called the Board of Elections, and they do indeed have me listed. So don't be afraid to double check if you think something is amiss.
Make sure your vote counts! If you have any questions, get them answered before you to the polls by calling the following number. Stephen Werber has my vote for being helpful.
