What ID will you take to the polls?

Heather News

Oklahoma’s Voter ID law took effect July 1. All voters are now required to produce proof of identity before casting a ballot whether voting at a regular polling place or voting early at the County Election Board.

Acceptable identification includes documents issued by the federal, state or a tribal government that includes the voter’s name, photograph, and an expiration date that is after the date of the election in which the voter is attempting to vote. Voters also may use a voter identification card or a temporary voter identification document issued by the County Election Board.

The following ID will be accepted:

  • Valid driver’s license with an expiration date later than the day of the election;
  • State identification card, which is not a driver’s license, with an expiration date that is later than the day of the election (persons 65 or older are not required to have an expiration date on their state identification card);
  • Tribal government ID, with a photo and expiration date later than the date of the election;
  • Military/uniformed services ID, with a photo and expiration date later than the date of the election;
  • United States passport with an expiration date later than the date of the election; and
  • Voter registration card or a temporary voter registration document—the only forms of ID without a photo that will be accepted (a voter registration card does not have an expiration date. However, the temporary voter ID does have an expiration date and that date must be after the election.

The law does not require checking the voter’s address, only that the name on the ID is similar to the name in the precinct registry (for example the ID may say John Edward Doe and the precinct registry says John E. Doe)

Don’t have ID? Ask for a provisional ballot! It will take a little more time to do the paperwork, but the Tulsa County Election Board says your vote will be counted if you fill out the affidavit correctly. Poll workers are not permitted to assist voters with the paper work, so be sure to take your time and read the instructions carefully. Be sure the name you put on the affidavit matches what is on the voter rolls. This is the most important step in voting your provisional ballot. If the name on the affidavit that accompanies the provisional ballot substantially conforms to the name on the voter rolls, that vote will be counted.