MetaChat - OMG Voting freakout!

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02 November 2008

OMG Voting freakout! I just got married so the name I registered with is no longer my name! What to do?? I'm in Illinois.

post by: desjardins at: 17:26 | 11 comments

yes I'm stupid for not thinking about this until 2 days before the election

posted by desjardins 02 November | 17:27

You don't have to show ID when you vote, right? Just don't say anything, then re-register after the election.

posted by mudpuppie 02 November | 17:31

Found this regarding Illinois ID requirements on election day:

-For Election Day voting, ID may not have to be asked for at all and the voter's signature will be enough but if it is asked for, because of challenges or numerous other reasons, then it has to be 2 pieces of ID and none of them has to be Photo ID. 1 has to have the current address on it; bills, checks, credit cards, union or professional memberships, car insurance notices, a lot of pieces of mail will qualify as ID.

Surely you have 2 of those things with your maiden name on them, right? Take those as a failsafe, just in case anyone asks you for proof of identification.

posted by mudpuppie 02 November | 17:33

There are only a few states where a photo ID is mandatory to vote (believe me, i know) but they can turn you away for wearing "flair" or carrying items of support for someone depending on your local laws.
No matter what you can always fill out a provisional ballot.

posted by ethylene 02 November | 17:43

Also, no matter how it's contested, you can vote if it is verified by a poll worker's signature.

Last time, my hand was broken so i couldn't sign my name and they had to have it verified by someone.

posted by ethylene 02 November | 17:45

OK thanks, I feel better now. This is my first time voting in Illinois.

posted by desjardins 02 November | 18:11

And yet i just had to do shots to stop the crazy shaking.

posted by ethylene 02 November | 18:45

My gf is an election judge in MO, and you are able to vote once with the new name, but they change your registration at the precint you vote at...not sure that is the case in IL but I would wager it can't be much different.

posted by Schyler523 02 November | 18:47

You can also bring a copy of your marriage certificate, proving that you've just changed names.

posted by rhapsodie 02 November | 19:28

Heh, I haven't legally changed my name yet for this very reason!

Although I was stupid and signed up for the Obama election night rally tickets with my married name and they're going to be checking IDs to match to the name on the ticket and I don't have any ID with that name on it yet. If they don't let me in I will literally cry. GAH.

posted by misskaz 02 November | 19:51

Take your marriage license and paperwork with both names on it if you have them handy. That should smooth things along.

Happy voting!

posted by lilywing13 03 November | 01:07

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