The voter ID mess, court battles and rapidly-changing legislation have left voters — especially new voters — with a lot of questions. Here’s what to know as you go to the polls
Early voting for the March 15 primary started today. While the ongoing court battle about congressional boundaries still rages on and has delayed those primaries until June 7, the other races are all moving ahead, with early voting now through March 12 and primary day March 15. Until March 12, you can vote at any one of 11 early voting locations around the county. If you vote on March 15, you’ll have to do so at your precinct, which you can look up here.
President? Senator? County commissioners? Treasurer? All those races and more are still on. Additionally, there and the state legislature’s attempts to ratchet up restrictions on voting (also the topic of an array of court battles and some recent revisions this year) have left many people uncertain about the specifics of casting their ballot in the first election with voter ID.
So what are the basics you need to know?
• If you’re not registered, YOU CAN STILL REGISTER/update your info and vote at any of the early voting locations until early voting ends March 12. You will need to have something (piece of mail, paycheck, etc.) with your name and address on it to do so.
• If you’re using a driver’s license or DMV ID, IT DOESN’T HAVE TO BE CURRENT. It can be expired by up to four years or it can list an old address different from the one you’re registered at. That doesn’t matter: you can still vote.
• You DO NOT HAVE TO HAVE AN ID to vote IF you can claim a “reasonable impediment” like family obligations, lack of transportation, work schedule or illness/disability. You’ll need to sign a statement, provide some basic info (like name and Social Security number) and have a document (mail, paycheck, etc.) showing your name and address to do so.
• If you’re disabled or ill, you can still vote via curbside voting (i.e. you park at a designated space and they bring a ballot out to you). For curbside voting you do not have to have an ID, just a document (mail, paycheck, etc.) with your name and address.
• If you’re unaffiliated, you can pick a primary to vote in, just request the ballot for the Democratic, Republican, etc. primaries.
• Buses are free on election day in an effort to help people reach their polling place. Maps and schedules here.
From the federal level down to the local, there are some important races going on this year, so get out there and vote.
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