Waynesboro resident Kimberly Beckham was the first
person in Tennessee to cast a ballot under the
provisions of the state’s new photo ID law.
Waynesboro made history Tuesday by holding the first election since Tennessee’s voter photo identification law went into effect.
Although there are some exceptions, the law generally requires voters to show valid photo identification before casting their ballots. The purpose of the new law, which took effect Jan. 1, is to safeguard against a type of election fraud known as voter impersonation.
In all, 354 voters cast ballots in the Waynesboro city election, including 37 who voted absentee.
As expected, there were no problems related to the implementation of the new law.
"The successful election in Waynesboro demonstrates the hard work election officials have put forth in implementing the law,” Secretary of State Tre Hargett said. “Most people understand why it’s important that poll workers be sure that the people casting ballots are who they say they are. And most voters don’t mind showing photo IDs, as they must do in order to perform many tasks in everyday life. I commend Wayne County election officials for their hard work in making this election such a success.”
The first statewide election under the photo ID law will be the March 6 presidential primary.
Acceptable forms of identification, current or expired, include:
- A driver license, provided it has a photo
- A United States passport
- A photo ID issued by the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security
- A photo ID issued by the federal or any state government
- A United States military photo ID
- A gun permit with a photo
College student IDs are not acceptable.
Voters who forget to bring photo IDs to the polls can cast provisional ballots, then go to their county election commission offices within two business days with proper proof of identity.
Photo IDs are not required for people who vote absentee or are voting from a hospital, nursing home or assisted living facility. People who are unable to afford the cost of obtaining a photo ID or have religious objections to being photographed are exempted from the law.
For questions about the law, visit www.GoVoteTN.com or call toll free 1-877-850-4959.