# U.S. passport not acceptable ID for voting? **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [October 6, 2015, 2:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/u-s-passport-not-acceptable-id-for-voting/733718 "2015-10-06T14:57:23Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![dracoi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/90db22/32.png) [@dracoi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dracoi)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2015, 6:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/u-s-passport-not-acceptable-id-for-voting/733718/21 "2015-10-07T06:15:12Z")
> [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](#): > > The idea that you would need to establish where you live for the purpose of voting in a national election would be a dubious one to people from most countries. Well… I think the confusing part (for many Americans, even) comes from thinking that the US has such a thing as a national election. 🙂 When you vote for a national office (President), what you’re really doing is voting for the electors that your state will send to the electoral college. Electors are state representatives. ---
**Author:** ![GoodOmens](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/d26b3c/32.png) [@GoodOmens](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GoodOmens)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2015, 2:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/u-s-passport-not-acceptable-id-for-voting/733718/22 "2015-10-07T14:41:28Z")
> [@Frank](#): > > For some reason, voting is not supposed to be easy in the U.S. Must be part of our Puritan heritage, or against someone’s political principles, or something. Proposals are currently lurking in Congress that would require voters to either prove Fermat’s Last Theorem or defeat Brock Lesnar in a 30-minute Ironman match. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2015, 3:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/u-s-passport-not-acceptable-id-for-voting/733718/23 "2015-10-07T15:02:08Z")
> [@dracoi](#): > > Electors are state representatives. The term “state representative” typically means a member of the state House of Representatives. An elector certainly may be one, but the slates of electors are designated by the state party committees, typically as a reward for longtime dedicated volunteers. Yes, it’s confusing and anachronistic and susceptible to being antidemocratic. ---
**Author:** ![samclem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a9a28c/32.png) [@samclem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/samclem)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2015, 3:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/u-s-passport-not-acceptable-id-for-voting/733718/24 "2015-10-07T15:32:49Z")
> [@GoodOmens](#): > > Proposals are currently lurking in Congress that would require voters to either prove Fermat’s Last Theorem or defeat Brock Lesnar in a 30-minute Ironman match. Joke # 59-requirement for getting into heaven First person–Spell G-O-D. Second person–spell G-O-D Third person–spell Czechoslovakia. ---
**Author:** ![dracoi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/90db22/32.png) [@dracoi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dracoi)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2015, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/u-s-passport-not-acceptable-id-for-voting/733718/25 "2015-10-07T18:39:48Z")
> [@ElvisL1ves](#): > > The term “state representative” typically means a member of the state House of Representatives. An elector certainly may be one, but the slates of electors are designated by the state party committees, typically as a reward for longtime dedicated volunteers. > > Yes, it’s confusing and anachronistic and susceptible to being antidemocratic. Yes, I didn’t mean to confuse it with legislators, just to emphasize that a person’s vote for president is telling the state who to send to the Electoral College. ---
**Author:** ![handsomeharry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e9c0ed/32.png) [@handsomeharry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/handsomeharry)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2015, 11:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/u-s-passport-not-acceptable-id-for-voting/733718/26 "2015-10-07T23:58:26Z")
> [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](#): > > The idea that you would need to establish where you live for the purpose of voting in a national election would be a dubious one to people from most countries. These aren’t direct elections. These elections are for ‘electors’ from each state. ---
**Author:** ![foolsguinea](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foolsguinea/32/14751_2.png) [@foolsguinea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/foolsguinea)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2015, 4:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/u-s-passport-not-acceptable-id-for-voting/733718/27 "2015-10-08T04:36:29Z")
> [@GoodOmens](#): > > Proposals are currently lurking in Congress that would require voters to either prove Fermat’s Last Theorem or defeat Brock Lesnar in a 30-minute Ironman match. That’s cool. I can do both of those things. Does that mean I get the only vote? ---
**Author:** ![Cugel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cugel/32/1199_2.png) [@Cugel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cugel)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2015, 4:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/u-s-passport-not-acceptable-id-for-voting/733718/28 "2015-10-08T04:49:19Z")
> [@Dr.Drake](#): > > Funny, the Canadian information just came in today. > > We have to bring… I have to bring the ability to state my name. ---
**Author:** ![foolsguinea](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foolsguinea/32/14751_2.png) [@foolsguinea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/foolsguinea)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2015, 4:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/u-s-passport-not-acceptable-id-for-voting/733718/29 "2015-10-08T04:51:57Z")
> [@Cugel](#): > > I have to bring the ability to state my name. You’re also \*required \*to vote. I think USA politicians would sell the country to alien birdmen before they let that happen. ---
**Author:** ![AK84](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/85e7bf/32.png) [@AK84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AK84)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2015, 5:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/u-s-passport-not-acceptable-id-for-voting/733718/30 "2015-10-08T05:17:57Z")
You don’t have voter lists in the US? ---
**Author:** ![Lord\_Feldon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lord_feldon/32/341_2.png) [@Lord\_Feldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lord_Feldon)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2015, 5:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/u-s-passport-not-acceptable-id-for-voting/733718/31 "2015-10-08T05:36:28Z")
> [@AK84](#): > > You don’t have voter lists in the US? We do, except I think in one state. Showing some form of identification is meant to prove that you’re the actual person on the list and not someone who used the list to impersonate a voter, and requiring it to include an address is meant to prove that you’re registered at your current address. (Whether these are problems that occur with a frequency that justifies the requirement is a matter of substantial debate.) ---
**Author:** ![foolsguinea](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foolsguinea/32/14751_2.png) [@foolsguinea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/foolsguinea)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2015, 5:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/u-s-passport-not-acceptable-id-for-voting/733718/32 "2015-10-08T05:41:18Z")
We do in Missouri, yes. Honestly, I’m pretty sure there have been years in which I’ve been able to vote without even pulling out ID, because I was on the list and the poll workers knew me. Living in one place for years has advantages. ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2015, 7:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/u-s-passport-not-acceptable-id-for-voting/733718/33 "2015-10-08T07:53:55Z")
> [@Lord\_Feldon](#): > > We do, except I think in one state. Showing some form of identification is meant to prove that you’re the actual person on the list and not someone who used the list to impersonate a voter, and requiring it to include an address is meant to prove that you’re registered at your current address. (Whether these are problems that occur with a frequency that justifies the requirement is a matter of substantial debate.) I think his point is that he’d expect the list to also contain your address, so all you’d have to do is prove you are who you say you are. ---
**Author:** ![Lord\_Feldon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lord_feldon/32/341_2.png) [@Lord\_Feldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lord_Feldon)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2015, 8:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/u-s-passport-not-acceptable-id-for-voting/733718/34 "2015-10-08T08:03:00Z")
> [@BigT](#): > > I think his point is that he’d expect the list to also contain your address, so all you’d have to do is prove you are who you say you are. It has the address you used when you last updated your registration. That might or might not be where you actually live now. ---
**Author:** ![Cugel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cugel/32/1199_2.png) [@Cugel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cugel)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2015, 8:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/u-s-passport-not-acceptable-id-for-voting/733718/35 "2015-10-08T08:29:22Z")
> [@foolsguinea](#): > > You’re also \*required \*to vote. > > I think USA politicians would sell the country to alien birdmen before they let that happen. Yeah, doesn’t seem to achieve much, but it’s only 10 minutes every couple of years. There’s a few other things I’m required to do that I’d give the arse to before I got to mandatory voting. ---
**Author:** ![DrumBum](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e79b87/32.png) [@DrumBum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrumBum)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2015, 12:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/u-s-passport-not-acceptable-id-for-voting/733718/36 "2015-10-08T12:19:06Z")
It is pretty easy for us. We just print off a form and fax it in before the the deadline. The passports stay locked in the house. The embassy staff will usually host a “get out the vote” party to answer questions. Once again, our band ( The Turbo Kings ) will be providing the music. Should be a good time. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2015, 2:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/u-s-passport-not-acceptable-id-for-voting/733718/37 "2015-10-08T14:39:59Z")
And the other thing is that you are never (to my knowledge) voting ONLY for the president. You are always voting, also, for your representatives to Congress, and votes need to be counted by district for that. Not to mention all the state and local offices you are voting for. My ballot is customized for my state, my county, and the municipality I live in. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2015, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/u-s-passport-not-acceptable-id-for-voting/733718/38 "2015-10-08T17:09:08Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > …You are always voting, also, for your representatives to Congress… Well, not _always_, but every two years. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2015, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/u-s-passport-not-acceptable-id-for-voting/733718/39 "2015-10-08T17:31:23Z")
> [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](#): > > Well, not _always_, but every two years. Sorry. In every presidential election, you are always also voting for the House. ---
**Author:** ![PatrickLondon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/patricklondon/32/4422_2.png) [@PatrickLondon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PatrickLondon)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2015, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/u-s-passport-not-acceptable-id-for-voting/733718/40 "2015-10-08T19:55:53Z")
> [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](#): > > The idea that you would need to establish where you live for the purpose of voting in a national election would be a dubious one to people from most countries. Depends whether the national election is based on geographical constituencies, such as in most of Europe, Canada, Australia, India… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/u-s-passport-not-acceptable-id-for-voting/733718.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/u-s-passport-not-acceptable-id-for-voting/733718.md?page=3)