Lake County Early Voting Issues (Gurnee, Deerfield: live, centers, moving)

[cohdane]

Does anyone know-- officially-- whether you're REQUIRED to have proof of current address to vote early in Lake County?

Today at the polls, three people were turned away because their current Illinois drivers license did not have their current address.

I have mailers from the Lake County Clerks Office and also looked on the IL State Board of Elections website. None of them mention anything about needing "proof of current address" in the "what you need to vote early" sections. They all just say government issued photo I.D.

Any insight?

[Avengerfire]

If your current ID does not match the address that you used to register with-yes there is a problem. You are required to notify your board more than 30 days before an election if you have moved. There was a grace period in which to re-register this year with your new address. Turning these people away is legal. Read the PDF below.

You must be a resident of a precinct at least 30 days before election day to vote.

PDF:

http://www.elections.state.il.us/Dow...arlyVoting.pdf

Look on the first page on the right side.

[lakecountylifer]

I've never been asked to show an ID and I've voted in Warren township in Gurnee and before that West Deerfield township for years-----all they do is ussually compare my signature to my voter registration card---and its ussually an 85 year old----but thats on election day itself and maybe these early voting centers are different.

[Avengerfire]

Originally Posted by lakecountylifer

I've never been asked to show an ID and I've voted in Warren township in Gurnee and before that West Deerfield township for years-----all they do is ussually compare my signature to my voter registration card---and its ussually an 85 year old----but thats on election day itself and maybe these early voting centers are different.

Early voting centers are different. Read the PDF; that is why I posted it.

[lakecountylifer]

Originally Posted by Avengerfire

Early voting centers are different. Read the PDF; that is why I posted it.

Yes Sir, Boss!

[cohdane]

Thanks for the PDF, but it doesn't say current address is required:

"Voters casting a ballot at an early voting center must display valid identification such as a current driver’s license, a state-issued ID card or another government-issued ID with a photograph.
The requirement of photo identification for an early voter is stricter than other identification requirements for people casting a ballot at their polling place on Election Day."

As to the moving within 30 days thing: One of the women was really upset, because she had moved in August, registered to vote at her new address IN PERSON, and had even gone to the secretary of state's office to update her license and registration. They told her they only update the driver's license address online and she didn't need a new license.

So...she had a valid, current drivers license.

Was registered at her current address.

Had her voter's card with her with her current address.

And they wouldn't let her vote. Said she had to have some mail to prove where she lived. This is why I'm trying to get clarification. If this lady did everything "right" and they still turned her away, and the info in the brochures and online doesn't support a demand for "proof of current address," it seems like they might be giving out bad info and turning people away for the wrong reasons.

[Avengerfire]

Well the Secretary of State is notorious for telling people the wrong information.

http://www.elections.il.gov/VotingIn...n/Welcome.aspx

http://www.elections.il.gov/Download...arlyVoting.pdf

When you vote early you must have an ID that matches your current address to vote.

[vandre]

Funny you mention the fact that they are making such a hassle for people whose driver's license has a different address than where they are registered to vote. I thought about that possibility, and in your case, you should be able to vote with just your passport:

From the link AvengerFire posted:

Voters casting a ballot at an early voting center must display valid identification such as a current driver’s license, a state-issued ID card or another government-issued ID with a photograph.

Notice how it only requires a government-issued ID with a photograph...

The workers at your polling place might have been confused because the requirements to *register* (but not to vote) do mention the fact that should have proof of residency:

When registering to vote in person, two forms of identification are required – one must show the current address of the applicant.