TN voter ID law upheld; library card ruled OK

wsmv ^ | 10/25/2012 | AP

[TennesseeGirl]

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) -- The Tennessee Court of Appeals has upheld the state's new law requiring voters to show photo identification at polling places and ruled that election officials must accept an ID issued by the Memphis library. (excerpted)

[TennesseeGirl]

It overruled a lower court by finding that the library cards qualify as government-issued identification.

What the h*ll???

[Blood of Tyrants]

So they basically ruled that the state can require an ID but not a photo ID. Terrific.

[Uncle Slayton]

Nationally, we should require a state issued ID and a US Passport to vote.

[Coldwater Creek]

My Shelby County library card DOES NOT have a picture ID. I had to get a picture put on my DL........... Anyone can use that card. No address no picture.

[CharlesWayneCT]

Memphis Library cards have photos. That’s why they were accepted, they are “government issued” and have photos.

[CharlesWayneCT]

BTW, interesting that Memphis required a photo ID to check books out of the library, and there were no race riots

[DannyTN]

"The court cited Tennessee case law in finding that the city of Memphis is a branch of the state, so the library card, which was redesigned this year to include a photo, is sufficient for proving identity.

"We note that the Voter Photo ID Act has created much controversy and aroused intense feelings among both its supporters and its detractors. The courts do not question the General Assembly's motives or concern themselves with the General Assembly's policy judgments," the opinion said.

Source

[justlurking]

I’m reminded of a Happy Days episode where Richie tried to buy beer with a library card that he had written “age: 22” on it.

[Repeat Offender]

BTW, interesting that Memphis required a photo ID to check books out of the library, and there were no race riots

Readin' is for rich folks.

[faithhopecharity]

a dog can get a library card in many communities

[DannyTN]

They’ve been redesigned to have photos. Yours wouldn’t work, you’d need to get a new library card.

But I assume illegals and out of state people can get library cards so how do they prevent illegals?

Still better than nothing.

[justlurking]

Having a passport is a good idea. But, the Department of State would have to offer it for free (it's $140, I think).

And, they are totally unprepared for that kind of volume. When a passport was required for air travel to Mexico and the Caribbean a few years ago, they were overwhelmed. People waited months for their passport, and had to cancel vacations when they didn't arrive.

[eyedigress]

Memphis is 100% free stuff. The state should tell their mooch ass to get the hell out. Memphis is a hell hole, I wonder why...........

[Coldwater Creek]

I’m mostly worried about the dead! But, then without a Ford on the ballot, there wouldn’t be access to the funeral records LOL

[Coldwater Creek]

My guess is that that you live in East Tennessee! Very small parts of Memphis are Hell Holes as you put it.

[Fai Mao]

Considering that libraries often have to pay more than retail for books because publishers assume multiple users and, at least in an academic library it cost about $50-$75 dollars per-book in labor to get it cataloged and on the self libraries want you to have a VERIFIABLE address. Can they be faked? Yes. But you have to at least show a utilities bill or lease normally to get a library card. You can get the card fast but you need proof of residence

[deport]

Here's the basis for the Courts ruling.

Basically they are taking the line that reads:
"Photo ID issued by the federal or any state government"
and saying that the Memphis Library system comes under the state government body section.

From the following:

CLICK

snip
“Showing a photo ID is not a significant intrusion or burden,” read the appeals court ruling written by Judge Andy D. Bennett, who decided the case along with Judges Richard H. Dinkins and D. Michael Swiney. Bennett cited photo ID requirements to board a plane, enter federal buildings and cash a check in upholding the state law.

“Photographic identification is probably the best way of making sure a voter is the person he or she claims to be,” Bennett added citing past U.S. Supreme Court rulings that the burden in terms of cost for such identification is not substantial.

State case law, he added, “supports finding that the city is a branch, department, agency or entity of this state” under past Tennessee Supreme Court rulings on that specific issue.
end snip

[arrogantsob]

Like most cities there will parts where the residents like to shoot and cut up each other on a regular basis. Other areas life is good.

[arrogantsob]

Like most cities there will be parts where the residents like to shoot and cut up each other on a regular basis. Other areas life is good.

[Qwackertoo]

Help me out here on some facts please, TennesseeGirl. My daughter’s roommate at Auburn down here in AL says she can’t vote. During the primary season she was not yet old enough. Now she has turned 18 but is living in the dorms in Auburn. Says she can’t vote in AL as she doesn’t really live here ie. permanent address. AND that Tennessee does not allow a first time voter to vote absentee and MUST vote in person.

That seems unfair. They are away at school, almost 300 miles, can’t come home on election day. I think that would affect many 18, 19, & maybe some 20 year old who would want to vote for the first time in a Presidential election. As we all know, many Americans skip the local, state and the mid-terms and mainly turn out for Presidential.

Has she be misinformed or is this the case in TN? If you know? Thanks,