Tennessee’s new photo ID law not only faces potential legal challenges, but it is also being questioned by senior citizens who are now forced to obtain picture ID to vote in November.
Troubled by the new law, 85-year-old voter Aleda Kelly of Memphis wrote her local newspaper, describing her experience with obtaining ID to vote and her ultimate fear that this law would disenfranchise other senior citizens.
Ms. Kelly says she has voted in all but one election since she moved to Memphis in 1967. Although she heard about the long lines at the motor vehicle offices to get photo ID, she was fortunate to enlist the help of her son.
“Thankfully, the line was relatively short; however, the scene was what I expected,” she wrote. “The majority of those present were on walkers or canes or had to sit frequently. One lady dropped an object which my son had to pick up for her.
“Luckily, I could sit while my son held my place. One present said a sister would not come with her and would never vote again. I don’t know what can be done about this, but I feel dissatisfied a large number of senior citizens, who probably make up a large portion of the voters, will not vote.”
Ms. Kelly–who notes the trouble she went through just to find the documents that she thought she needed to obtain a photo ID–asks, “is there any way to get this repealed?”
Read Ms. Kelly’s letter here. Find out more about Tennessee’s photo ID requirement here.