MORGAN PARK — Some voters in Morgan Park were mistakenly asked to show identification prior to casting their ballots on Tuesday.
John Siegel, an election judge in the 40th precinct, admitted to the mistake, but said nobody was turned away from voting in the basement of the church at 11024 S. Bell Ave.
"Earlier in the day, there was a misunderstanding," said Siegel, a resident of Morgan Park.
Siegel voted early at nearby Mount Greenwood Park. He was asked to show identification when casting his ballot ahead of the scheduled election.
Thus, Siegel inadvertently began asking voters in their IDs on Tuesday.
"Half the people come in here with their driver's licenses out," he said.
Fewer than 100 people had come through the door by 11 a.m. when a voter questioned the ID requirement. Siegel said he checked the rule book, called an election official and quickly halted the practice.
"We did not deny anybody," Siegel said.
Part of the confusion might have come from a posted sign — included in materials provided to the polling place. The poster outlines the identification requirement for first-time voters who registered by mail. On first glance, it appears to support Siegel's assumption.
Kevin Klinger rushed into the polling place before it closed at 6:45 p.m. He was not asked to show identification prior to casting his ballot.
His wife, Catherine, voted earlier in the day and had been asked for her identification, Klinger said.
For his part, Siegel owned up to his mistake.
"We were wrong. But we didn't deny anybody, which is the important thing," he said.
The Chicago Board of Elections did not immediately return calls for comment.
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