The election process took on new turns and voter protections were initiated to insure that everyone’s vote counted and every vote would be counted. The politicians learned from the 2000 presidential election. Voter disenfranchisement was at the top of everyone’s agenda and number one on the hit parade.

In Florida, to insure total voter confidence and eliminate voter fraud certain requirements were initiated. You had to be registered – you had to have a voter registration card - - and lastly, you had to present a photo identification card. Oh yes, you also had to tell the poll worker your exact address. No more slip shod procedures. No more wink and a nod to someone unknown at the polling station. No more using someone else’s identity to commit voter fraud.

I know, because I too needed to become part of the process. But, I am a 71-year-old senior citizen who apparently has much too much time on her hands. I remember a few years back, after the horrendous attack on the World Trade Center, everyone was so concerned about security and the need for a proper I.D. Well, I have a number of photo identification cards - - every news publication I have ever worked for, has issued one to me. As a reporter, I even have one issued by the Metro Dade Police Department in Miami-Dade County.

Knowing that I needed a photo identification card to vote this year, I made a decision to ‘test’ the system. Sure, I still had all those other cards, but I wondered if the poll workers would really take a hard look to make sure that I complied with the new laws.

During my semi-retirement, I have become pretty good at generating photo graphics and computer generated public relations material. I still represent many clients and provide them with the much-needed material for their companies.

So, I made a "Certified Identification Card" complete with a photo in the left hand corner that I selected. A photograph, I might add, that I particularly liked. It all looked quite official. I even had a line stating "This card certifies that the photo contained herein is: (my name inserted) followed by another statement "Certified on October 1, 2004. Not valid one year from effective date."

Incidentally, I used a similar Certified Identification Card for more than two years here and there and everywhere - - updated each year, of course. When I was a patient at a Broward hospital, I presented this Certified Identification Card every day for sixteen days before entering the hospital for my therapy. There were many security attendants and never once was I questioned. Likewise at another Broward hospital, I visited a friend of mine daily for three weeks. Once again, my Certified Identification Card was never questioned.

So I made a new one and decided I would ‘test’ the system. I was prepared to be laughed at and be demanded to see something that was issued by some state agency. So, armed with my new ID card and my driver’s license, I went to vote last week.

Yes, that’s right! I went to my polling place, parked my car and entered. It was relatively empty - - no line, no hustle or bustle. I was asked for my Voter Registration Card, which I promptly presented. I was then told to go to another person and present my Voter Registration Card along with a photo I.D. Of course I was prepared. If I was challenged, I would have, of course, been able to present my Driver’s License.

However, that was totally unnecessary. My Certified Identification Card was accepted without question. I watched intently as the poll worker examined my card and without hesitation, she accepted my home computer generated card as valid and official.

In all fairness, of course, my name was listed in the book so I guess that was verification enough to allow me to vote. My point is this, if I can do something like this, experts like terrorists, evildoers, and the like, have a chance of penetrating security and continuing their assault on America.

Based on this experience, I have come to the conclusion that we have a problem here. I don’t profess to know what the answer is, but I do know that all this checking and rechecking doesn’t amount to a hill of beans.

I just wonder if there had been a photo of Julia Roberts on the card, instead of mine, would it have been so willingly accepted?