3:41 p.m.: Just in time to vote but not necessary

November 06, 2007 05:09 pm

— Lynn Schocke thought it was strange when she read the BMV would be open on Election Day, but she soon learned why.
When she entered a school gymnasium on Anderson’s west side, the poll workers told Schocke that her driver’s license had expired at midnight and she could therefore not vote.
“Today is my birthday and I didn’t think about it at all,” she said. Schocke was able to go to the BMV and renew her license in enough time to vote later in the day.
As it turns out, however, she could vote with that license.
"Even if it's expired, it's OK," said Michelle Gough, legal affairs consultant for Secrtetary of State Todd Rokita's office.
"As long as it expuired after Nov. 7, 2006."
As long as licenses expired after the last general election, citizens can vote.
Election inspector Rudy Williams said two people, including Schocke, had arrived at the polling site with expired IDs. Both renewed their IDs and came back to vote.
Schocke said her experience made her a supporter of Indiana’s controversial voter identification law.
“I definitely think an ID should be required,” she said.