I just voted in Richmond VA and didn't need an ID. The checker-inner lady said that I did, but I raised a stink and ultimately I didn't.
This may not be interesting to many people, but I thought I'd put it up in case someone somewhere wanted an example of this particular situation.
These are the facts. I apologize in advance if the prose isn't very interesting.
I registered to vote by mail, I believe, on or about October 2004 in the City of Richmond. I received my Commonwealth paper voter card which I keep in my wallet. I voted in 2004 and 2005 at the corner church, and merely showed my paper state voter card and stated my name and address. I have not changed my address, etc since before 2003.
I went to the corner church this afternoon with my paper voter card. When it was my turn, the checker inner lady asked for my drivers license/photo ID first. I stated that I wasn't going to show it. She said that I needed it. I said that I didn't, because I had my state paper voter card and I handed it to her. I said that I'd sign an affirmation if I needed too. She didn't even check to see if I was on the roll book, she just said that I'd have to use a provisional ballot.
I went over and filled out the provisional ballot, and as I was reading the signing statement I realized that none of the 5 reasons that were listed totally applied to me. The ostensible reason was number 3, which stated that I registered by mail after 1/1/03 (TRUE), was voting for the first time in a federal election (FALSE) and did not show ID (partially TRUE because I did not show ID, but partially FALSE because my name should be on the pollbook as I had voted in 04 and 05).
I called over the precinct captain, a very nice 90 year old lady, and explained my question to her, which was that I didn't think that I needed to show an ID because I was on the pollbook and had my paper card, and she said that she didn't know but she could call and find out.
We called and after a bit, a very nice lady from the state election board found my name on the state computer and confirmed that as long as I had my paper card and was on the rollbook, I could vote regularly. Needless to say I was happy. Even funnier was the fact that the initial checker lady was so furious that she stormed out and said 'well then YOU can check him in cause I ain't.'
I voted and went home. I don't contend that a potential voter does or doesn't need to show photo ID in other situations, however, this precinct tried to stop me from voting in my situation and I raised a stink and prevailed.
I believe that the lady who checked me in was a partisan *$(#, fortunately, the captain lady was fair and nice.