By By ERIKA PICKLES / Niles Daily Star
NILES-When you hit the polls this Tuesday, or for any coming election for that matter, be sure you have your photo identification on hand.
A voter identification requirement, starting with Tuesday's election, requires all voters show some form of ID before voting, including Michigan driver's license, state-issued personal ID card, a passport, or other acceptable form of ID.
"The requirements are the result of a 1996 law that the Michigan Supreme Court recently upheld as constitutional and reasonable. The intent of the law is to safeguard the integrity of our election system from fraud," Secretary of State Terri Land said in a recent statement.
Voters who do not have photo ID with them at the polls can sign an affidavit attesting to that fact and they will then receive a ballot that will be counted with all others.
Voters who do not have photo ID can get a state identification card at their local Secretary of State branch office for $10. State ID cards are free to individuals who are 65 or older, blind or who have had driving privileges terminated due to a physical or mental condition.
"While the voter identification law adds a step to the voting process, it is a familiar and easy one that serves the important purpose of strengthening our elections system," Land said.
The following forms of ID are acceptable, as long as they are current and include the person's photo and name:
Driver's license or personal identification card issued by another state
Federal or state government-issued photo identification or U.S. passport
Military ID with photo
Student identification with photo from a high school or accredited institution of higher learning
Tribal identification card with photo