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Election workers are not trained to check IDs for veracity;...

Election workers are not trained to check IDs for veracity; they are usually prohibited from asking for IDs, a reader writes. Credit: Newsday / Kendall Rodriguez

Voter identification is quite thorough

A reader suggests, “Every voter should provide identification” [Letters, April 15]. I’ve worked elections for about 20 years. New York State requires a valid identification to register to vote. No ID means no registration. No registration: no voting.

Those not registered may complete a registration, including ID information checked with an affidavit ballot sent to the bipartisan Board of Elections before the vote is eventually counted. At the polling place, signatures, addresses, and even ages may be questioned.

To always require ID, the state must determine the type, how to obtain it at a cost affordable by all eligible voters, and it should be easily recognizable by election inspectors.

Election workers are not trained to check IDs for veracity; they are usually prohibited from asking for IDs. They are trained to question voters to ensure proper registration and location and may ask for IDs if they are instructed to do so by iPad notes.

If the reader is promoting voter IDs, why not promote free state-issued IDs for everyone on their 18th birthday. The state can monitor someone’s legal right to vote and issue new IDs if the voting status changes. Election workers could be trained to recognize state-issued IDs, like REAL IDs now issued by the state.

— Fern Summer, North Bellmore

Northern State’s seams a danger

While the upcoming paving projects for Long Island are much needed and appreciated, I was dismayed that the Northern State Parkway exits between the Seaford-Oyster Bay Expressway and Wolf Hill Road were not included in this list “Gov. Hochul: $16.6M of road projects underway on LI,” Long Island, April 19].

Although I am not a motorcyclist, I worry about their safety while traversing this section. Perhaps the state can put up warning signs alerting riders to avoid changing lanes here because the seams between the lanes are in abysmal condition.

I have to choose carefully when changing lanes. Since motorcycle riding season is upon us, I fear this situation is an accident waiting to happen.

— Joe Kennedy, Syosset

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