Joe,

JM>   Voting is so easy in this state I don't accept any excuses for someone
JM>not voting (unless an accident, death or something before the polls close).

  Amazing they don't ask for 2 weeks notice of your death. 

JM>   WV has absentee voting for those out of their precinct on election day
JM>(travel, military, etc).  There is early voting at the court house weeks
JM>before.  The polls are open from like 0630-1900.  There are provisional
JM>ballots for voters that are in question (moved and not updated their
JM>address, etc).

  I've experienced that. My brothers voter registration expired, and he
was put on INACTIVE status, since he hadn't voted in several elections.
I try to vote in each one there is. But, they select folks for jury duty
on your drivers license, voter card, or both. And, since most disability
or government benefits are now "direct deposit only", and since you have
to have a photo ID (and a Social Security Number) to open a bank
account, they get you anyway.

  Or like from the ditty done by the Canadian Team of Bowser and Blue,
on praising the colo-rectal surgeon...they note "Some may think the
cardiologist is their best friend. But, the colorectal surgeon knows,
he'll get you in the end!!" <G>. Search for Bowser And Blue Colorectal
Surgeon Song on YouTube...it's a scream. One of the local ham radio
operators is a retired gastrointerologist, and one night, at a local
club meeting, they played that video, telling him "this is for you"!!
<BG>.

JM>  In WV a valid ID is also required, which could be ones voter card,
JM>drivers license, etc.  And I will have my card and license ready when my
JM>status is checked with those large books the people have.  The few times
JM>those are never asked is when someone who knows me by name is working the
JM>table and even then its sometimes just a formality.

  I used to have a passport, but I let it expire...because I have no
plans to travel outside the continental U.S. anymore. Plus, it was in
such bad shape, I'd have to get a new birth certificate, start from
scratch on the application, pay $200 for it, and wait several weeks to
get it.

  On my Drivers License, it notes "Not For Federal ID"...and it's the
only photo ID I have. I do have an amateur radio license from the FCC,
but I doubt they'd consider that, because it only shows I'm a licensed
amateur radio operator...no photo with it.

  At amateur radio license exam sessions (I'm one of the local area
administrators), we require a photo ID (drivers license, passport,
military ID, state ID), OR 2 forms of non-photo ID (utility bill, bank
statement, piece of mail addressed to them, library card, minors work
permit, etc.).

  They also have to provide either their Social Security Number (SSN) or
a Federal Registration Number (FRN). They get the FRN by submitted their
SSN to the FCC (at their website) before the session, or on the NCVEC
Form 605 at the exam session...the FCC will issue an FRN once the
license is granted. One can't steal an ID with an FRN...they're usually
looking for an SSN. That's why they redid the Medicare cards, where the
SSN is no longer on them. Soon, the ham radio license exam sessions will
REQUIRE the examinee have an FRN when they arrive...the SSN will no
longer be accepted.

  They also have to answer whether or not they've been convicted of a
felony in state or federal court. A "YES" answer is NOT an automatic
disqualification...it depends on the circumstances surrounding the
conviction. They have to provide that data to the FCC within 14 days of
the exam, or the license grant is dismissed, even if they passed the
exam. Sadly, I know of at least 5 instances where hams were all arrested
because of sexual related crimes (I'll spare you the gory details).

  If they don't have the ID, the SSN, the FRN, the exam fee, or if they
don't answer "the felony question", they aren't allowed to take the
exam.

JM>   I have missed one election since 1972.  That was in the late '70s for
JM>a special school board of education* election a couple of days after I
JM>moved back here.

  Almost perfect attendance...but close only counts in horseshoes and
hand grenades. 

JM>   (* I recall seeing a yard sign in front of a frat house that read:
JM>John Smith, Bored of education).  LOL

  He probably was. <G>

Daryl

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