For Immediate Release                                         Contact: Chris Nelson
Friday, May 21, 2004                                        Phone: 605-773-3537

Photo Identification Requirements for June 1^st Election

Pierre, SD – The Primary and Special Congressional Election is June 1^st and voters will encounter a change at the polls.  All voters will need to show picture identification when they cast their ballot in the Special Congressional and Primary Election.

“This is the first state and federal election that people will need to show picture identification before they vote,” Secretary of State Chris Nelson said.  “I encourage all registered voters to go the polls June 1^st and take their ID.”                  

Acceptable forms of identification are a South Dakota driver’s license or non-driver identification card, a passport or a picture identification card issued by an agency of the United States government, a picture tribal identification card, or a picture identification card issued by an accredited institution of higher education, including a university, college, or technical school, located within the State of South Dakota.  If a voter doesn’t have one of these forms of identification they must sign their name at the polling place.

For more information on photo identification you can the view the Secretary of State website at www.sdsos.gov/2004/2004changes.htm.

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