Debunking the myths about voting

Can you wear your Obama or McCain T-shirt to the polls on Tuesday?

Can you vote if you have unpaid parking tickets?

What if your home has been foreclosed or your address has changed?

What happens if your name is not on the voter rolls?

Those are some of the questions being answered by experts debunking the voting myths in this historic election.

NBC News, Wiretap web site, IndyWeek.com and other news sources recently posted stories dispelling some of the most common myths about voting in this election. Here are the answers to the top 12 questions about the election.

Top 12 Questions About Voting

1. Can you wear an Obama or McCain T-shirt to the polls?

Yes and no, depending on where you vote. Wiretap says you can't be denied the right to vote but you can be asked to cover the parts of your clothing that are advertising your candidate. In addition, some states -- such as California, the District of Columbia, Pennsylvania and New York -- restrict anything that can be considered campaign material within 50 to 150 feet of voting sites.

2. Are there two different election days for Republicans and Democrats?

No, despite a deceptive flier circulating in Virginia that says Republicans and Democrats vote on different days, everyone votes on Tuesday, November 4.

3. Can you be denied the right to vote because of home foreclosure?

No, says NBC News.

4. Can students who change address to vote be dropped from their parents' insurance or lose financial aid?

No, says NBC News. You have the right to vote anywhere you live that you consider your home.

5. Is a driver's license the only acceptable form of identification?

No. Except for Georgia and Indiana, you can use other forms of ID, says NBC News.

6. Will outstanding parking tickets make you ineligible to vote?

No, says NBC News.

7. Can I vote if my name is not on the voter rolls?

Yes. If your right to vote is challenged, ask election officials to cast a "provisional ballot" and follow up with election officials later, says NBC News. If you have any voting problems, you can also call the Election Protection hotline at 1-866-OUR-VOTE (1-866-687-8683) to get immediate legal advice, says Wiretap.

8. Can I vote if the address on my driver's license is different from my current address?

Yes, says Wiretap. "The driver's license is strictly used to verify a voter's identity, not place of residence. State law requires that you vote in the precinct in which you live. If you're not sure where your polling location is, visit Vote411.org."

9. Can I vote if I'm not registered?

No. Every state except North Dakota requires voters to register before voting. 

10. Do absentee ballots really count?

Yes.

11. Can I vote if I've been convicted of a felony?

It depends on the state. Only two states -- Kentucky and Virginia -- deny the right to vote to all ex-offenders. Some states require ex-offenders to petition to regain the right to vote while other states allow ex-offenders to vote after they've completed their sentence.

12. Can I avoid jury duty by not voting?

Not necessarily. "There are other sources for jury lists besides voting records," says Don Wright, general counsel for the North Carolina State Board of Elections. "If you've got a driver's license, you're already on the hook," he told IndyWeek.