Educator of the Week

Early Voting Begins With Debate Over Voter Identification

Posted on: 6:08 pm, July 13, 2012, by Candace McCowan, updated on: 06:16pm, July 13, 2012

Click HERE to see valid forms of photo ID

(Memphis) Early voting began this morning in Shelby County and there were voters lined up outside of the office at 157 Poplar before the polls were open.

Most voters had their driver’s license in hand as a form of valid state photo identification.

But voter Michael Banks was told his identification from work as a Juvenile Court probation was not valid.

“I felt like it should have since it’s a state identification. It did say on the ballot on the notice that any form of ID issued by the federal or state government. I think Juvenile Court is state government so I would think that it would work but apparently it didn’t,” said Banks.

Problem is, Juvenile Court is run by Shelby County, not the state.

The Shelby County Democratic Party held a press conference to show support for Memphis City Attorney Herman Morris’ argument that library cards should be accepted as valid state identification.

They said the issue will likely end up in court since the state will not accept library cards.

Party chairman Van Turner is encouraging voters to make sure they have their driver’s license when they head to the polls, “The library cards would constitute state issue ID. The libraries are state supported they’re photo identification cards that are issued from the libraries through the same rigorous process, used to get your state issued or federal issued driver’s license or other identification.”

Early voting information from the Shelby County Election Commission:

Downtown Early Voting Location: Shelby County Office Building, 157 Poplar Ave. 38103

Beginning, Friday, July 13, 2012 through Saturday, July 28, 2012

Weekdays 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM

Saturday, July 14, 2012, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM

Saturdays, July 21 and July 28, 2012, 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM

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