The following is a personal account of my experience with the modern-day poll tax.
The 2014 Primary elections in the state of Florida have begun. Usually, at this time in the election cycle, I feel a certain excitement that comes from being able to exercise my right to choose my government representatives. I sit in front of the computer with my sample ballot and ad mailers, and start to do some internet research on every single one of the candidates.
This year is different. This year I've been earning $9.00/hr, which barely allows me to cooperate with my share of the household bills, as evidenced by my inability to afford a bus pass and by my bank account balance of -$46.
This year I have an expired State ID card. 2014 is the year in which I will have to pay $25 (that I do not have), if I wish to have my vote counted.
Now let me clear up some things. I am not complaining to anyone about my financial situation. I am not complaining about showing photo identification at the polls. But I will continue to complain about having to pay for a photo ID, for as long as it's a requirement of voting. I will protest this poll tax on the internet (and in any other venue I can think of) so that Floridians who can afford to ignore this injustice do not forget that it still exists.
When state IDs are designed to periodically expire, and when residents are asked to pay a fee in order to renew the IDs, the fee is a form of government taxation. When a taxed government ID is then required for a citizen to exercise their right to vote, the ID tax simultaneously becomes a Poll Tax. Regardless of what the courts may say, it will be difficult to convince me otherwise.
In the meantime, I will post updates below detailing my journey to the ballot box.
UPDATE (17AUG2014) : While I was biking back home from church today, I decided to take a quick detour and stop at the Supervisor of Election's office. It was open for voting, and I was the only voter there, so I was immediately called up front. Then I proceeded to play dumb. I asked the poll worker attending me "Hey, what do I need to vote?" She asked if I was registered. I am. Then she told me I just needed a signature photo ID.
Pressing on a little more, I asked, "Does it need to be current?" She gave me an incredulous smile and told me "Yeah it has to be current!" Now this is the part that confuses me. Another poll worker, that was a few feet behind the counter, at a desk, had been listening to our conversation, and joined in "No it doesn't." The two poll workers just kinda looked at each other for a split second, and the first one accepted my expired ID, handed me my paper ballot, and let me vote.
I think today I experienced a small miracle. I'll post a final update during the general elections, but for now thank God and that poll worker.