Officials: Valid photo ID needed to cast ballot in November election

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Officials: Valid photo ID needed to cast ballot in November election
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By Derrick Perkins (File Photo)

City officials are reminding local voters they need valid photo identification if they plan on casting a ballot at November’s general election.

The notification came after the state Board of Elections tightened its definition of what constitutes valid photo identification. The change, according to The Washington Post, followed a lengthy and bitter statewide debate on voter identification.

For voters, valid means photo identification that is either up-to-date or has expired in the 12 months prior to an election.

Election officials will accept a driver’s license or identification card issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles; passport or passport card; military or other government-issued photo identification cards; student photo identification card; and employee photo identification cards. For a full list of acceptable forms of identification, visit sbe.virginia.gov.

Residents also may apply for a free voter photo identification card. In Alexandria, that means a trip to the office of voter registration and elections, which is located at 132 N. Royal St. No appointment is needed, officials said.

Upon arrival, registered voters must fill out a form, have their photograph taken and submit their signature. Officials estimate it will take up to two weeks for the identification to arrive in the mail.

Local voters without a valid identification still can cast a provisional ballot in the November election. They then have until noon of the Friday following the election to either provide their identification in person or apply for a voter photo identification card.

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