Arkansas Voting I.D. Requirements: What You Need to Know
By: Marci Manley, KARK 4 News
Updated: October 22, 2012
Some people head to the polls with I.D. in hand but others are surprised to be asked for identification. That can lead to confusion on what you need to bring to fill out a ballot. So we take a look at what state law actually requires.
As early voting for the November general election gets underway in Arkansas, questions start cropping up around the polls: Do I have to have a photo I.D. to vote? What happens if I forget my I.D.? Is it legal for poll workers to ask for my I.D.?
Poll workers are actually mandated by state law to ask for identification, but only select voters are required to show it.
That includes first time voters who registered by mail and those whose personal information, like the last four digits of their Social Security Number, doesn't match up with state agency information on file.
The state recognizes not everyone has a driver's license. So, poll workers will accept documents with a voter's name and address like utility bills or paychecks.
If someone is flagged to show I.D. but doesn't have it on them, that person will still be able to fill out a ballot.
"If that voter does not have I.D., they vote a provisional ballot which is later reviewed by the Election Commission," said Pulaski County Elections Director Melinda Allen. "But at no time will someone be kept from casting any ballot because they can't provide I.D."
It's something voters KARK spoke with say they haven't had huge problems with.
"I've always voted, so it's never been a problem for me, as far as I.D.," said early voter Karen Blanton.
"This morning, I received word from a friend of mine that they were being challenged and needed their driver's license and voter registration card. I had mine," said early voter Judy Ward. "So it can be intimidating, and if someone doesn't know they need that, it could be a problem."
For more helpful voting information -- click here.
You can also get additional information specific to Pulaski County Elections by visiting the Pulaski County Election Commission website or the Pulaski County Clerk website.
As early voting for the November general election gets underway in Arkansas, questions start cropping up around the polls: Do I have to have a photo I.D. to vote? What happens if I forget my I.D.? Is it legal for poll workers to ask for my I.D.?
Poll workers are actually mandated by state law to ask for identification, but only select voters are required to show it.
That includes first time voters who registered by mail and those whose personal information, like the last four digits of their Social Security Number, doesn't match up with state agency information on file.
The state recognizes not everyone has a driver's license. So, poll workers will accept documents with a voter's name and address like utility bills or paychecks.
If someone is flagged to show I.D. but doesn't have it on them, that person will still be able to fill out a ballot.
"If that voter does not have I.D., they vote a provisional ballot which is later reviewed by the Election Commission," said Pulaski County Elections Director Melinda Allen. "But at no time will someone be kept from casting any ballot because they can't provide I.D."
It's something voters KARK spoke with say they haven't had huge problems with.
"I've always voted, so it's never been a problem for me, as far as I.D.," said early voter Karen Blanton.
"This morning, I received word from a friend of mine that they were being challenged and needed their driver's license and voter registration card. I had mine," said early voter Judy Ward. "So it can be intimidating, and if someone doesn't know they need that, it could be a problem."
For more helpful voting information -- click here.
You can also get additional information specific to Pulaski County Elections by visiting the Pulaski County Election Commission website or the Pulaski County Clerk website.
