Text inputs with maxlength not validating with jQuery Validate

Question

Hello

I'm stuck with a problem using jQuery Validate. The thing is I have a few textboxes with their maxlength attributes set. Although they are not required, they still fail to validate when either empty or whitespace.

Sample HTML:

<input type="textbox" id="tbx1" maxlength="100" value="" />

Then, $('#tbx1').valid() returns false. Shouldn't it return true instead? Are there any known workarounds for this?

Oh, and adding $('#myform').validate({ ignore: '#tbx1' }); doesn't quite work for me, because I'm using ASP.NET controls with their automatic IDs. I know I could either use the control's client id or something like Wilco's IDOverride, but this is just not what I prefer.

So, anyone? Thanks!