Well to be more accurate I had to give them the choice of casting a provisional ballot or get an acceptable ID.
You see, I am a poll worker in IN. I have worked the polls since 2004 as part of personal commitment to do my small part to see that what happened in FLA in 2000 did not happen in my hometown.
I am proud of the work I have done. I am proud to help people, no matter their politics, vote. Yet, I have to enforce the voting laws of the state. During the primaries doing my job almost broke my civic spirit...and then humbled me with the power of hope and perseverance.
(Story below the fold)
During the primaries I had an elderly African-Gentleman that did not have the proper ID. In Indiana you need a state issued photo ID (such as a driver's license) or a Federally issued ID (such as a passport).
Now, I don't agree with this law. However, when I accept the job to work as an Inspector (or judge) for the Democratic party on election day I take an oath to uphold the laws. I put partisanship aside and I focus on doing everything I can to see that everyone who walks into the polling place can vote.
This gentleman was in the poll book but all he had for a photo ID was an out of state license. Legally his options were few.
I explained to him he could cast a provisional ballot or he could got to the BMV to get a free IN state ID. I suggested he call them first so he knew what documentation to bring. I could have kicked myself for not having a number to give him.
Well the gentleman left without a word and my heart sank. In that moment I wondered if I could be a poll worker again if I had to do that to someone else.
In my capacity as judge or inspector I've had people treat me with suspicion or as if I'm the enemy. With all the fear of votes being stolen out there people some times treat me as if I'm the enemy. (Sometimes I wonder if it's my navy blue pinstripe suit and flagpin?)
Anyway, no attitude or sarcastic word has hurt me more than that man's silent resignation and quiet shuffle away. He walked back to another younger man, who I assumed was his son.
My gut twisted. I tried to shake it off. There were other voters. I did my job. I helped folks find their correct precincts by calling the Clerk's office and getting directions.
I helped one man who'd been purged from the rolls do the paper work so he could vote that day. I listened as a woman cussed at me who didn't have a photo ID on her when she had to go back to the car for her passport. She grumbled and continued to swear even as I let her back at the front of the line once she had the ID.
Still I couldn't shake the image of that man. Then, a few hours later the same gentleman came back through the line with a spanking brand new IN state ID!!! For a moment I lost my voice! I had tears in my eyes as I gave him an "I Voted" sticker. I told him it meant so much to me to see him back. It made my day. I thanked him. He was my hero!
I wanted to hug him! He hadn't let the system beat him!
He smiled and he VOTED!
Later when I shared my story with my best friend she urged me to not sell myself short. She asked me to consider the difference I might have made. I didn't just tell him cast a provisional ballot or go away. I gave him the information he needed! She asked me to consider would others have done that? She urged me to not give up the work I do.
So I share this story...in hopes that others will work the polls. You can make a difference.
More importantly..I share this story in hopes that you GET OUT AND VOTE!
DON'T LET ANYONE or ANYTHING STOP YOU!
Think of that gentleman! VOTE! Stay in line!
We'll be there! Will you?
:)
sr