A Tennessee State University
employee attempted to use her state-issued employee photo ID to vote yesterday and was turned away. The rules and regulations of Davidson County states that federal or state government issued photo ID, even if expired, unless exemption applies.
This is the first general election under new regulations that require some form of state-issued photo ID. The state-issued identification is one of several forms of ID voters must produce to vote under legislation passed in 2011.
Annette Pilcher was another voter not allowed to cast a ballot at the Belle Meade precinct with her faculty ID from Tennessee State University.
Pitcher blamed the poll workers at the precinct for the mix-up, but then called the Election Commission and settled the issue.
“My issue was really about training the poll workers,” said Pitcher.
Apparently, the poll workers were either informed or not aware of the rules, yet wanted to place voters under suppression, despite knowing the rules. (Hinting voter suppression is still existent.)
It is imperative, especially as a black student, to maneuver voter suppression by learning the laws and consulting local personal on how to overcome voter suppression. Voter suppression is used to void people from their voting rights, and usually the voters that will make intelligent selections, are the persons that are effected.
Pastors, election commissions, the President of your college, students SGA Presidents and many others can all help fix this issue by educating people.
Contact HBCU Buzz Staff Writer Robert Hoggard for any questions, comments or concerns on voter suppression.
