BY ROGER SMITH
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN
INEZ — With the Nov. 3 General Election approaching, Martin County Clerk Susie Skyles reminds voters that those who arrive at the polls without an acceptable photo ID have fewer options to verify their identity under a new state law that took effect July 15.
The change removes Social Security cards and certain food-assistance cards, including EBT and SNAP cards, from the list of alternative documents available to voters who cannot present qualifying photo identification.
“It also does away with a provision that allowed an election officer to confirm the identity of a voter personally known to the officer,” Skyles said.
Voters should bring identification containing their name and photograph, such as a Kentucky driver’s license or state identification card, U.S. passport, military identification card, college or university student identification card, or another qualifying government-issued photo ID.
The law does not prevent every voter without one of those documents from casting a regular ballot, Skyles said.
“A voter who has a qualifying impediment to obtaining photo identification can sign an affirmation under penalty of perjury and provide either an identification card issued by a Kentucky county and approved by the State Board of Elections or another identification card containing the voter’s name and photograph,” she said.
Qualifying impediments include a lack of transportation, difficulty obtaining a birth certificate or other documents, a work schedule, lost or stolen identification, disability or illness, family responsibilities, an identification card that has been requested but not received, or a religious objection to being photographed.
Voters who cannot satisfy the identification or affirmation requirements can cast a provisional ballot when federal offices are on the ballot.
“In this election, that ballot would apply only to the U.S. Senate and U.S. House races,” Skyles said.
An exception remains for voters who live in a state-licensed care facility and vote at a polling place located inside that facility.
“Those residents do not have to present photo identification,” Skyles said.
The voter ID changes were added to House Bill 139, a broad election measure passed during the 2026 legislative session. Gov. Andy Beshear vetoed the bill April 10, arguing that it reduced the types of identification voters could use and would make voting more difficult. The General Assembly overrode the veto April 14, with the House voting 80-20 and the Senate voting 32-6.
Voters who are uncertain whether their identification is acceptable should contact the county clerk’s office at 606-298-3508 before Election Day.
“We are here to help,” Skyles said.
The clerk also urged voters to check their registration status and confirm that their physical address and county are listed correctly before the 4 p.m. Oct. 5 registration deadline.
Voters can check their registration in the clerk’s office or online.