Apparently there have already been several problems reported at the polls today - and no Robb, I'm not referring to the poll worker who smelled like mothballs down there in Florida. However, as I mentioned in a comment to Robb's post, I actually ran into some difficulties at the polls myself.
How it happened.
The poll workers in my district asked me for my ID, which I expected. They even found my name (with current address) in the registration book... where you sign your John Hancock to indicate that you are - well you. So I whipped out my driver's license and showed it to the poll worker. The worker then asked me if I had a second for of identification with my current address.
She asked because the address on my (state issued) ID didn't match the address I had registered with. However, I didn't have a second form of ID with me, and for good reason - I didn't need one. As per Ohio Voting Laws I had a legit form of ID:
You may also use your Ohio driver's license or Ohio photo I.D. -- even if it shows a previous address.
I tried to explain to the polling lady that I didn't need a second form of ID because I had a valid state-issued photo ID. She didn't want to hear it. And then out of no where the poll worker next to her starts talking AT me. He's telling me that I would vote today, but I'd be voting with a provisional ballot.
Who the hell is this guy?
That's right, he was talking at me... not to me. Now, I'm not claiming to be any type of legal nor political genius (far from it), but I knew for a fact that I was on the right correct side of this fight. Admittedly, I knew this due to the immense amount of media coverage the topic received in the previous few days.
At any rate, there I was arguing with two uninformed poll workers about whether or not my ID was valid - and the best part was the 2nd guy was BLIND. Define Irony.
They told me I would either have to vote provisionally, or go home and get a 2nd form of ID. They didn't even pull out the rule book (a.k.a. - the Law) to verify their position, they just told me I was wrong and they were right.
Finally the polling supervisor came over and I calmly explained to her the situation and asked her to confirm it. So she pulled out the rule book and within a few seconds I was signing my name in the voter registration book. Vindication!
A job well done
After the ordeal, several people in line told me that the workers had told them the same thing and they had all gone home to get the 2nd form of ID. In all honesty I could have done the same and probably saved some time. You see, I live just a few blocks from the polling location.
But this wasn't about saving time - it was about making sure the poll workers knew the law so they wouldn't turn away the next guy that walked in with out that 2nd form of ID. It was about helping to stop the rash of voter disenfranchisement that has been so overwhelming in recent years.
Speaking of being disenfranchised - while waiting in line for my turn at the polling machine the workers told us that they didn't have any of the "I Voted Today!" stickers. WTF?!? How can they not have the stickers? One of the biggest reasons to vote is to get the swag!
Go Vote!
It doesn't matter which way you're voting this election (though I do hope that you're Voting for Change), as long as you're out there voting!