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Election town hall meeting is tonight

Election town hall meeting is tonight

As part of an ongoing effort to inform voters about a new law that will require them to show valid photo identification at the polls, election officials in all 95 Tennessee counties will be hosting outreach programs today (Tuesday). State election officials announced in a press release they believe this is the first time in Tennessee history voter outreach programs have been conducted in all 95 counties on the same day.
The formats may vary from county to county, but most are hosting town hall meetings where citizens can ask questions about the new law.
In Weakley County, the election commission has a town hall meeting planned from 6:30 to 7:30 tonight (Tuesday night) in the circuit courtroom at the Weakley County Courthouse in Dresden.
The law, which takes effect Jan. 1, requires people to show a valid state or federal government-issued photo ID in order to vote. Examples of acceptable forms of ID include driver licenses, U.S. passports, Department of Safety photo ID cards, U.S. military photo IDs and state or federal government photo ID cards. College student IDs are not acceptable. There are a number of safeguards in the law to ensure eligible voters are not disenfranchised. The photo ID requirement does not apply to:
• People who vote absentee by mail;
• People who vote in licensed nursing homes or assisted living facilities;
• People who are hospitalized;
• People who have religious objections to being photographed and
• People who are indigent and cannot obtain photo IDs without paying fees.
Voters who forget to bring photo identification to the polls may cast provisional ballots and return to their local election offices with proof of their identities within two business days after elections.
For more information about the new law, contact the state Division of Elections at 1-877-850-4959.

WCP 11.01.11