State voter ID laws differ and create different challenges

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Elizabeth Fields

WEAKLEY COUNTY, Tenn.- A quirk in Tennessee law has some senior citizens scrambling to get new identification so they can vote in November.

Tennessee just joined three other states that require a government issued photo ID to cast a vote. However, drivers in the state over the age of 60 aren't required to have a photo on their licenses. That means the drivers license Peggy Dunning had could get her to the polls, but not inside to vote. 

Dunning and several of her friends have gone up to the motor vehicles officer just to get a picture printed on their IDs, but they don't necessarily have to. Barbara Castleman, the administrator of elections of Weakley County, has been working to get the new law information out.

"I think it's a really really good idea because we know the person who is voting is the person who's supposed to be voting," she said. 

According to Castleman, seniors over the age of 60 are eligible to mail their votes in and wouldn't be required to show photo identification. Those who are no longer driving, and anyone needing the correct type of voting identification, can go to the motor vehicle office and have a card printed for free.

Other accepted forms of identification include:
- U.S. Passport
- Dept. of Safety photo ID
- U.S. Military ID
- Gun permit card with photo

Anyone who doesn't have the proper form of identification on election day will be able to cast a provisional ballot. Then they will have 2 business days after the election to bring a valid photo ID to the election commission office.

For more about Tennessee Voter Identification laws, click here.

Kentucky and Missouri voters are only required to prove name and address when they vote. Illinois has no voter ID laws.