Voter law means license bureau visit for some

~ People without a photo ID need three documents to get one, except for Missouri seniors, who need two.

Ninety-year-old Shorty Helderman of Burfordville voted for FDR, JFK and Bill Clinton. But when he goes to vote in this November's election, he may get turned away.

Helderman is no longer allowed a driver's license. In fact, he doesn't have any form of photo identification, which means he won't be able to vote unless he gets one under a bill signed by Gov. Matt Blunt earlier this week.

"I've voted since I was old enough," Helderman said. "I don't understand why I can't now."

Helderman, who wasn't familiar with the new law, can't get a driver's license because no insurance company will cover him after he was involved in an accident last year, he said. The new law will require Missourians to show a government-issued photo ID starting with the November election.

Helderman doesn't feel like he should have to.

"Why should I get one of those?" Helderman said. "They're the ones who took my license from me."

Republican supporters say the identification requirement is necessary to prevent fraud in elections and give people confidence that legitimate votes aren't being watered down.

Democratic opponents, led by the state's top elections official, Secretary of State Robin Carnahan, say current requirements are sufficient. They argue that the voter ID measure will harm the poor, the elderly and disabled who might not have driver's licenses. A legal challenge is expected soon.

Under the bill, free ID cards could be issued to the estimated 170,000 voting-age Missourians who lack one, and mobile processing centers will visit nursing homes and elsewhere to get cards to the elderly and disabled. Blunt's signing allows that process to begin immediately.

Department of Revenue spokeswoman Maura Browning said the new law applies to anyone who doesn't have a Missouri driver's license or a nondriver's license, which serves as photo identification. Military IDs and passports are acceptable.

Browning said about 95 percent of Missouri residents already have what they need to vote. Those who don't have a photo identification and can't get a driver's license will have to visit one of 183 license bureaus throughout the state to get a nondriver's license if they want to vote, Browning said.

People need three documents to get a nondriver's license: proof of lawful presence, proof of identity and proof of residency. A birth certificate or passport qualifies as proof of lawful presence. A Social Security card is a common proof of identity and a utility bill or government check, for example, is proof of residency, Browning said.

But Browning said that another law signed by Blunt -- which she said hasn't been getting much play in the media -- is one that makes an exemption for Missouri's seniors. Senate Bill 1001 allows people 65 or older to do so without proof of lawful presence, which is basically the birth certificate requirement.

Many older Missourians were born at home, Browning said, or the older records have been lost. This should make it easier for seniors to get a nondriver's license.

"That should reduce a significant hurdle for those 65 and over," Browning said. "It should be a big weight off their shoulders."

Still, they'll have to show a Social Security card and proof of residency, which Browning said could be the yellow voter identification cards voters have used in the past.

The Department of Revenue has issued about 52,176 driver's licenses in Cape Girardeau County, Browning said. She did not know the number of non-driver's licenses issued. Cape Girardeau County has 49,369 registered voters, as of March, according to the county clerk's office.

Ruth Ann Dockins, spokeswoman with the Southeast Missouri Area Agency on Aging, said the law appears to be an inconvenience for seniors. Dockins said she would encourage seniors who want to vote to get their proper documentation lined up now and not to wait until election day gets near.

"Changes happen all the time and we all hate them," she said. "But we have to comply with them."

smoyers@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 137

Don't have an ID?

* WHERE: Nondriver's licenses are available at the Cape Girardeau License Bureau at 112 S. Spanish St. The licenses are free for people who have no other voter identification. Otherwise, they cost $11.

* WHAT: Those under 65 need three documents to get a nondriver's license: proof of lawful presence, proof of identity and proof of residency. A birth certificate or passport qualifies as proof of lawful presence. A Social Security card is a common proof of identity and a utility bill, yellow voter identification card or letter from a state agency with an address is a proof of residency.

* WHEN: The local license office is open from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. It is open from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. the second and last Saturday of the month. Call the office at 335-3659.