<span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: ‘Lucida Sans’;" class="R~sep~ACopyBody">Since we are having a major election coming up, I would like to know what are the options to vote if you don’t show any form of ID?</span>

<span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: ‘Lucida Sans’;" class="R~sep~ACopyBody">When I early voted in the presidential election, a handicapped person ahead of me in line was allowed to vote with no ID, said ID was in vehicle. Seeing that we waited in line for 30 minutes plus, I felt there was time to retrieve proper ID.</span>

<span class="R~sep~ACopyBody">State law provides for two methods of identification at polling places: a photo ID or a signed affidavit.</span>

<span class="R~sep~ACopyBody">R.S. 18:562 requires voters to present to poll commissioners a Louisiana driver’s license or identification card “or other generally recognized picture identification card that contains the name and signature of the applicant.”</span>

<span class="R~sep~ACopyBody">But the provision also says that voters who lack a photo ID may still vote if they complete and sign a Voter Identification Affidavit. The form — it’s pink and numbered AV-34 — asks</span> <span class="R~sep~ACopyBody">for the voter’s name, address, date of birth and mother’s maiden name.</span>

<span class="R~sep~ACopyBody">Once a voter signs the affidavit, he or she may cast a ballot.</span>

<span class="R~sep~ACopyBody">A pamphlet prepared by the Secretary of State’s Office for election commissioners tells poll workers — in red type and all caps — “DO NOT TURN AWAY A VOTER FOR LACK OF PHOTO ID.”</span>

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<span style="font-weight: bold;" class="R~sep~ACopyEditors~sep~endnote">Online:</span> <span class="R~sep~ACopyEditors~sep~endnote">www.geauxvote.com.</span>

<span class="R~sep~AHeadBrief">Editorial, reader refer to different songs</span>

<span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: ‘Lucida Sans’;" class="R~sep~ACopyBody">In the Our View article of Saturday, March 4, recognition was given to</span> <span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: ‘Lucida Sans’;" class="R~sep~ACopyBody">some influential women here in Southwest Louisiana. It was a very nice gesture.</span>

<span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: ‘Lucida Sans’;" class="R~sep~ACopyBody">However, I question the name Lucinda Williams, said to be known for her song “Lake Charles.” I have documentation that that song was written, sung and recorded by the late Nellie Lutcher of Lake Charles.</span>

<span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: ‘Lucida Sans’;" class="R~sep~ACopyBody">Tell me, who is correct?</span>

<span class="R~sep~ACopyBody">The editorial, written to mark the start of Women’s History Month, was correct in listing Lucinda Williams as the writer of the song “Lake Charles,” which appeared on Williams’ 1998 album, “Car Wheels on a Gravel Road.”</span>

<span class="R~sep~ACopyBody">The opening lyrics of the song, which is about an ex-boyfriend of Williams’ who had an affection for Louisiana:</span>

<span class="R~sep~ACopyListing">He had a reason to get back to Lake Charles</span>

<span class="R~sep~ACopyListing">He used to talk about it</span>

<span class="R~sep~ACopyListing">He’d just go on and on</span>

<span class="R~sep~ACopyListing">He always said Louisiana</span>

<span class="R~sep~ACopyListing">Was where he felt at home</span>

<span class="R~sep~ACopyListing">He was born in Nacogdoches</span>

<span class="R~sep~ACopyListing">That’s in East Texas</span>

<span class="R~sep~ACopyListing">Not far from the border</span>

<span class="R~sep~ACopyListing">But he liked to tell everybody</span>

<span class="R~sep~ACopyListing">He was from Lake Charles</span>

<span class="R~sep~ACopyListing">Did an angel whisper in your ear</span>

<span class="R~sep~ACopyListing">And hold you close and take away your fear</span>

<span class="R~sep~ACopyListing">In those long last moments</span>

<span class="R~sep~ACopyBody">Nellie Lutcher — a pianist and singer and namesake of the Nellie Lutcher Cultural District — wrote the song “Lake Charles Boogie,” a 1948 jazz tune that has few lyrics:</span>

<span class="R~sep~ACopyListing">Oh Lake Charles,</span>

<span class="R~sep~ACopyListing">Oh Lake Charles,</span>

<span class="R~sep~ACopyListing">Oh Lake Charles,</span>

<span class="R~sep~ACopyListing">Oh Lake Charles,</span>

<span class="R~sep~ACopyListing">Now this little ditty was named after the city where I was born.</span>

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<span style="font-size: 8pt;" class="R~sep~ACopyEditors~sep~endnote">The I</span><span style="font-size: 8pt;" class="R~sep~ACopyEditors~sep~endnote">nform</span><span style="font-size: 8pt;" class="R~sep~ACopyEditors~sep~endnote">er answers questions from rea</span><span style="font-size: 8pt;" class="R~sep~ACopyEditors~sep~endnote">ders each Sunday, Monday a</span><span style="font-size: 8pt;" class="R~sep~ACopyEditors~sep~endnote">nd Wednesday. It is re</span><span style="font-size: 8pt;" class="R~sep~ACopyEditors~sep~endnote">searched and written by</span> <span style="font-weight: bold; font-size: 8pt;" class="R~sep~ACopyEditors~sep~endnote">Andrew Perzo</span><span style="font-size: 8pt;" class="R~sep~ACopyEditors~sep~endnote">, an</span> <span style="font-style: italic; font-size: 8pt;" class="R~sep~ACopyEditors~sep~endnote">American Press</span> <span style="font-size: 8pt;" class="R~sep~ACopyEditors~sep~endnote">staff wri</span><span style="font-size: 8pt;" class="R~sep~ACopyEditors~sep~endnote">ter. To ask a question, call</span> <span style="font-size: 8pt;" class="R~sep~ACopyEditors~sep~endnote">494-409</span><span style="font-size: 8pt;" class="R~sep~ACopyEditors~sep~endnote">8 and leave voice mail, or ema</span><span style="font-size: 8pt;" class="R~sep~ACopyEditors~sep~endnote">il informer@americanpress.com.</span>