Changes in store for voters Tuesday

Voters will find some changes when they arrive at the polls for Tuesday’s primary elections. Government-issued photo IDs will be required before being allowed to vote, and in many counties,  there will be new voting machines and, because of consolidation,new polling places for some voters.

The Legislature in 2011 passed the photo ID requirement for voting. According to a release from the Secretary of State’s office, voters must present one of these forms of identification, which must be valid, at the polls: an Alabama driver’s license; an Alabama non-driver ID; a photo ID issued by any agency of the local, state or federal government; a state-issued ID from another state; a U.S. passport; a student or employee ID from a public or private college or university in Alabama, including postgraduate technical or professional schools; a military ID; or a tribal card with photo.  Voters who don’t show a valid photo ID will be asked to cast a provisional ballot, then must bring the required ID to their local board of registrars by 5 p.m. on the Friday following an election.  One alternative is allowed: Two election officials can sign sworn statements saying they can positively identify the voter.  Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Runoffs, if necessary, will be July 15.