Tennessee Voters Head To The Polls
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West Tennesseans are heading to the polls as part of the Super Tuesday primary elections. Not only are voters choosing presidential contenders, but they are putting the state’s new photo ID law to its first true test. A few months ago, state legislators were split on the photo ID issue, but on Tuesday, as they headed to the polls, voters told 7 Eyewitness News they do not know what the fuss was all about. They said having to show a photo ID to vote is not a big deal. “We’re pretty much programmed to show our IDs for many, many things and so I really think you expect it,” said voter Michael Cook. “I guess I would have been shocked if they hadn’t asked me to prove I was who I was.” “It’s more of hassle for the people that work here than for me,” said voter Hugh McClanahan. And they said casting their votes was quick, and easy – not much different from voting in years’ past. “I just pulled out my wallet, there you go,” said voter Nicholas Esdale. Election officials told 7 Eyewitness News they have had no issues with the new law Tuesday, and are not expecting to have any in November’s election either, since they have been informing residents about it for the past few months. Many voters said they like the law because it keeps people honest about who they are. “I feel like it’s extremely important to eliminate voter fraud, and I think probably that’s the only way to do it is to require an ID,” said voter Danita Esdale. “We require IDs for everything else.” “I feel that the right to vote is an American right and you ought to be able to prove you are who you are before you’re allowed to cast a ballot,” Cook said. Tennessee had 55 delegates up for grabs, the third most among the 10 Super Tuesday states.
