With changes to Medicare and Social Security being contemplated in Washington, D.C., plus ongoing local and state laws impacting the health and wellbeing of all citizens, it’s important that the eldest members of our communities retain their right to vote. Unfortunately, the unintended consequence of a new Tennessee election law could leave some seniors scrambling to meet tougher requirements. Beginning Jan. 1, 2012, all voters are required to show valid photo identification in order to vote in Tennessee.

According to the Tennessee Secretary of State Elections website (www.tn.gov/sos/election), voters will be allowed to use the following forms of identification even if they are expired as long as they include a photo:

• Tennessee drivers license,
• U.S. passport,
• Department of Safety ID
• Federal or state government issued identification (such as an employee ID from the U.S. Department of Agriculture),
• U.S. military ID including a veteran’s identification card, or
• State-issued handgun carry permit.

The only individuals exempt from these requirements are those who vote absentee by mail, voters who are hospitalized, those with a religious objection to being photographed, those who are indigent and unable to obtain a photo identification without paying a fee, or voters who are residents of a licensed nursing home or assisted living facility who vote onsite at the facility.

For seniors who live with a family member or caretaker or those who live at a facility but travel to a polling precinct to vote, they must provide the appropriate photo identification. For those who have a Tennessee license without a photo, state driver testing centers plus 30 County Clerk offices statewide are upgrading such licenses at no charge (including in Davidson County).

Free photo identifications are also being provided by the Department of Safety at all of the driver service centers for those who do not have an old license on hand. However, to obtain one, the individual must provide a voter registration card, birth certificate or other proof of citizenship and two proofs of Tennessee residency (such as a copy of a utility bill, vehicle registration or rent receipt).

Therein lies the rub for some seniors. Those who have given up driving are unlikely to have a vehicle registration form in their possession. Nor are those who live with an adult child likely to have a utility bill or rent receipt in their name.

To help answer questions about how to ensure seniors retain their right to vote, AARP joined forces with the Tennessee Coordinator of Elections Mark Goins for a series of meetings around the state. A virtual meeting addressing a number of concerns and questions is available online through the AARP Tennessee website at www.aarp.org/tn. Individuals can also call the Division of Elections toll free at 877-850-4959.

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