Sterling Beebe’s case is an electoral mystery. And other Lawrence voters may soon find themselves in the same situation.

Beebe, 59, swears he’s voted five times — three times at Schwegler School, twice at the Douglas County Courthouse — since 1996.

But when he went to the courthouse Tuesday to cast an advance ballot, he was told his name was on a list of inactive voters.

“They said I hadn’t voted since 1996,” said Beebe, a bus driver for Brandon Woods Retirement Community.

“I know that’s not right; that’s when I moved to where I am now. I’ve voted since then.”

Beebe was allowed to vote, but his ballot won’t be counted until Nov. 8, almost a week after the election.

Others may soon share Beebe’s confusion over unexpected hurdles or complications.

Douglas County Clerk Patty Jaimes said her office recently mailed postcards to 17,000 voters who, like Beebe, are considered inactive.

Many of these voters, Jaimes said, will be required to show identification at the polls.

When Sterling Beebe, Lawrence, showed up to vote in the advance voting at the Douglas County Courthouse, he was told that records showed he didn't vote in the 2000 elections and couldn't vote because he had not registered again. A voter registration card in Beebe's wallet saved the day and he was able to cast his vote.

Inactive or “first-time voters who did not show identification when they registered will be required to show identification when they vote. This is a new law,” she said. “We have lots of people who’ve been registered for two or three years but who haven’t voted. If they didn’t show identification when they registered, they’ll have to have it when they vote.”

Accepted forms of identification include utility bills, bank statements, paycheck stubs, passports, a current driver’s license, student or military IDs.

Those using bills, bank statements and driver’s licenses should check to be sure the address listed matches the address on the registration rolls.

For Beebe, his vote is cast but not official unless it passes muster Nov. 8.

“That’s when the votes are officially canvassed and the provisional ballots are counted,” said Marni Penrod, deputy county clerk in charge of elections.

6News video: Incumbent cries foul over ads in DA race 6News video: Students get involved in political process Ads can mislead, parties warn Inactive voters may be in for surprise State Senate race may hinge on downplayed ‘social issues’ Polls show Americans filled with doubts about election Voter registration up 23 percent since 2000 Diplomats weigh in on U.S. election Chat with Jim Mullins, Reform Party candidate for Kansas Senate, 2nd District Voter guide More in Election 2004

Beebe’s ballot — it’s now in a sealed manila envelope in the election office — is considered provisional because county election officials have no record of his voting since 1996.

“He’s registered, but he’s not voted. So he’s considered inactive,” Penrod said. “Usually, when someone is inactive it’s because they’ve moved.”

Penrod said poll workers had the option of asking Beebe to verify his address. If they had, she said, his ballot would be counted Nov. 2.

But workers also had the option of letting Beebe cast a provisional ballot, she said.

“(Beebe’s ballot) was the first time this has come up this year,” Penrod said. “So to be cautious, he was given a provisional ballot.”

Still, it’s unclear why poll records show Beebe didn’t vote when he insists he did.

“All I can I say is what the records show,” Penrod said. “He didn’t vote.”