Tuesday, July 10, 2012

Library Card/Voter ID Fray in Memphis


City Says Library Photo Cards Should Stand For Election ID. (Memphis Daily News, 7/9/2012) 

Excerpt:   New Memphis library cards that include a photo have become a challenge to the new state law requiring certain state-issued photo identification in order to vote. 

The Memphis library system unveiled the move to the photo library cards last week with Memphis Mayor A C Wharton Jr. saying the new library cards could be used to vote starting with the upcoming Aug. 2 elections. Early voting begins Friday, July 13. 

Less than 24 hours later, Tennessee Elections Coordinator Mark Goins contradicted that, saying the new library cards are not valid for voter identification.



Editorial: Keep options open on photo ID. (Memphis Commercial Appeal, 7/10/2012)

Excerpt:   The rejection of the city's effort justifies another try to get the law amended. 

The library system does due diligence in making sure the individuals to whom it issues library cards are who they say they are. After all, the library has a financial stake in ensuring the items they lend out are returned. The new photo cards contain the borrower's name, photo and address.

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