The American Civil Liberties Union and the Washington State Labor Council have condemned a television ad being aired by the secretary of state telling voters they must bring photo identification to the polls next month.

The new law that requires voters to produce ID before they can vote doesn't specifically require that it be a photo ID.

"The ad implies by its images and words that voters will not be allowed to vote unless they have photo ID," said Kathleen Taylor, executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Washington. "Especially in a government-sponsored ad, accuracy is essential."

The labor council said the statute passed by the Legislature this year clearly states that photo identification is not required, but is one of several acceptable forms of ID.

"It's worse than misleading to tell people they have to bring photo ID to vote," said Diane McDaniel, political director of the labor council. "It actively discourages voter participation in certain communities."

Both organizations called on Secretary of State Sam Reed to pull the ad.

Spokeswoman Trova Heffernan said today that the office has taken a second look at the ad and will remove the word, "photo" The law says in addition to photo ID, voters can produce a student identification card, tribal identification card, voter registration card, a copy of a current utility bill, bank statement, paycheck or government check or other government document.

Any voter who cannot provide identification will be issued a provisional ballot, for which the signature will have to be verified with one on file with the county elections office.

Susan Gilmore: 206-464-2054 or sgilmore@seattletimes.com