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Pennsylvania Voter ID Law Passes

by: iradioal - Philadelphia, PA
started: 03/14/12 9:33 pm | updated: 03/15/12 12:06 pm

Pennsylvania's House of Representatives voted to pass the bill that will enact one of the nation's toughest photo identification laws for voters. The vote was 104-88 mainly along partisan lines. Gov. Tom Corbett said he would sign it into law immediately.

We are 8 months away from a major election, with the Presidential election of 2012 coming this November. This should give every registered voter time to become familiar with the new law and bring the appropriate identification with them when they go to the polls.

There will no doubt be a challenge in court. The bill was debated in the PA legislature for 3 days before being voted on.

Democrats see the law as a veiled attempt to suppress the vote from typically Democratic voters who may not have a valid photo ID. Those would include members of minorities, the poor, and college students. It would also hinder the elderly and disabled, by adding a step to the process if they have to go get a new ID. This is all somehow a hidden plan to defeat Obama this fall.

It was also argued that even though any new official photo ID could be obtained free of charge that does not include ancillary costs related to loss of time and travel to go and get an ID.

Republicans, on the other hand, passed the bill to combat voter fraud and protect the sanctity of the election process. Having your state issued ID when you show up to vote ensures that the person voting is the person listed on the registrar and that you are only voting once. Fraud does happen, having to show your ID to vote doesn't seem out of place, you have to do it to get into the bar.

"Contrary to some claims, this bill does not interfere with anyone's legal right to vote. It prevents people from cheating in our elections," said Gov. Corbett.

The Corbett administration has agreed to work with the Department of Aging and the Department of Transportation to help any elderly who may need help getting a new ID.

The law requires PennDOT to issue an ID to anyone in the state who requests one.

The law requires a photo ID such as a driver's license; a student, county, or municipal card; or IDs from a personal-care home. If you show up without a proper photo ID, you will be allowed to cast a provisional ballot, and then you'll have six days to present election officials with an acceptable ID.

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by: iradioal - Philadelphia, PA | responded: 03/15 12:06 pm

The Voter ID law signed Wednesday requires Pennsylvania residents to present one of the following forms of identification at the polls in order to vote:

A valid driver's license, or one that is not more than a year past its expiration date; or for those with religious objections to being photographed, a valid-without-photo driver's license, or a valid-without-photo card issued by PennDot.

Identification from the armed forces, including the Pennsylvania National Guard, that establishes whether a voter is a current or veteran member, and designates that the ID's expiration date is indefinite.

U.S. government identification.

A valid U.S. passport.

Pennsylvania state or municipal government ID.

Student ID from a public or private institution of higher learning that is accredited in Pennsylvania.

Identification from a personal care facility.

Voters who do not have an acceptable photo ID can get one free at any PennDot driver's license center. Voters who arrive at the polls with no acceptable ID may cast a provisional ballot; they then have six days to submit acceptable identification to election officials.

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