New Law Requires Photo ID To Vote
To vote in the November 2012 election, polling places will require photo identification.
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In order to cast a vote in the November 2012 general election, all voters are required to show a photo ID at the polling place.
Acceptable photo IDs include identification issued by the federal government or the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania (a driver's license or non-driver's license photo ID), a valid U.S. passport that has not expired, a U.S. military ID, an employee photo ID issued by the federal, state, county or municipal government, photo IDs from an accredited public or private Pennsylvania college or university, or an ID card issued by a state care facility.
Most photo IDs must be current and have an expiration date, with the exception of a Pennsylvania driver’s license or non-driver’s license. Those forms of identification are valid for voting purposes 12 months past the expiration date, according to the new voter ID law.
If you do not have one of these forms of identification, you may be entitled to get one free of charge at a PennDot Driver License Center. The $13.50 fee to get a photo identification card will be waived for individuals completing the Oath/Affirmation Voter ID form. Find the center nearest you by searching by zipcode on PennDot's website or call the Department of State's Voter ID Hotline at 1-877-868-3772.
To obtain a photo ID from the state, you will need to visit the license center in person, fill out form DL-54A, and have a Social Security Card and one of the following forms of identification:
- Certificate of U.S. Citizenship
- Certificate of Naturalization
- Valid U.S. Passport
- Birth Certificate with a raised seal
You will also need two proofs of residency, such as a lease agreement, current utility bills, a mortgage document, W-2 form or tax records.
However, no one legally entitled to vote will be denied the right to vote. If you do not have a photo ID or cannot obtain one without payment, you can cast a provisional ballot, and will have six days to provide a photo ID or an affirmation to your county elections office to have the ballot count. If you have a religious objection to being photographed, you can still vote if you present a valid without-photo driver's license or a valid without-photo ID card issued by PennDot.
If you plan on voting by absentee ballot in the general election instead of at a polling place, you will need to provide a drivers license number, the last 4 digits of your Social Security Number, or a copy of an accepted photo ID when applying for an absentee ballot.
If you are voting for the first time in November, visit VotesPA for more tips and information on the voting process and what to expect when visiting the polls.
Franz Perls
12:58 pm on Thursday, March 22, 2012
I am surprised that no one has commented on this. I find this to be a form of voter suppression targeting the elderly and disabled. These groups will have the hardest time getting to a DMV center, most do not drive. Also, many older folks may not have an official birth certificate since they may have been born at home, in another state or it was simply lost over the years. The crazy thing is, they probably do have a voter registration card. That and any other proof of who you are should be sufficient to vote.
Dave Citro
3:20 pm on Thursday, March 22, 2012
How is "any other proof of who you are" defined? Personally, I do not think it to be burdensome on people to expect they have their records up-to-date and available. Local state representative offices will more than likely be happy to assist those who cannot obtain the necessary documents on their own.
Pete Krenshaw
3:32 pm on Thursday, March 22, 2012
Franz - did you follow the link to "accepted photo ID" in the article? If so, you would have seen the following.
Photo ID required for November 2012 Election
ALL voters will be required to show a photo ID before voting at a polling place
All photo IDs must be current and contain an expiration date, unless noted otherwise. Acceptable IDs include:
Photo IDs issued by the U.S. Federal Government or the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania:
Pennsylvania driver’s license or non-driver’s license photo ID (IDs are valid for voting purposes 12 months past expiration date)
Valid U.S. passport (not expired)
U.S. military ID - active duty and retired military (a military or veteran’s ID must designate an expiration date or designate that the expiration date is indefinite). Military dependents’ ID must contain an expiration date
Employee photo ID issued by Federal, PA, County or Municipal government (not expired)
Photo ID cards from an accredited public or private Pennsylvania college or university (not expired)
Photo ID cards issued by a Pennsylvania care facility, including long-term care facilities, assisted living residences or personal care homes (not expired)
If you do not have one of these IDs and require one for voting purposes, you may be entitled to get one FREE OF CHARGE at a PennDOT Driver License Center.
Pete Krenshaw
3:41 pm on Thursday, March 22, 2012
If I am reading this correctly, a valid form of ID includes a care facility ID which is not expired. How is this a form a voter suppression on anyone?
Franz Perls
3:53 pm on Thursday, March 22, 2012
Certificate of U.S. Citizenship
Certificate of Naturalization
Valid U.S. Passport
Birth Certificate with a raised seal
This is how the law states what is necessary to get a State ID. I know elderly people that have none of these. However, they do have a voter registration card. I believe that this and a utility bill or something along those lines should be sufficient. In lieu of this, the government should provide transportation to and from the DMV centers for those that can not get there on their own. As for local reps, same thing. Let them drive and wait for those who can't get there any other way. Maybe the State Troopers can do it also.
I know you will disagree with this. However, since there is no grandfathering in this law, I believe it is needed.
Pete Krenshaw
4:29 pm on Thursday, March 22, 2012
I personally would have liked to have seen more time given to implement this law in order for people to comply. But I do not have a problem with the law and actually think it is long over due.
However, there are many forms of acceptable ID for voting listed which include many items such as student IDs and care facility IDs - just as long as they include a photo and an expiration date. Does this cover everyone? No - we still have people who live independently who do not have "easy" access to obtain the free State ID described.
Bottom line - we need to make sure the integrity of the voting process is preserved regardless of political affiliation. So everyone who wants to vote has until November to obtain an acceptable form of ID. It's time to get it done.
Nicholas
10:51 pm on Thursday, March 22, 2012
If the elderly have such a hard time getting to the DMV, then how do they get to their polling place?
Tired of Hypocrisy
8:43 pm on Thursday, March 22, 2012
This law is long overdue. If it is burdensome for elderly or disabled to get to the DMV, perhaps they could ask a relative to take them. How do they get their food and other supplies? It seems that some are looking for reasons that do not exist. I know that if any of my elderly neighbors need assistance I volunteer happily to help them with their groceries, etc, and would take them to the DMV if necessary.
A voter ID will help significantly with voter fraud in larger cities and other areas where it is too easy to have people vote using others names.
jr23
12:19 am on Friday, March 23, 2012
this had to be done where i live they have found many non eligible voters have voted
due to the way a lot of voter registrations are done
remember bensalem had a council women and several business owners convicted
of voter fraud its a shame that good people have to suffer for the criminals\
so anyone knows of a person who should not vote that does report them
Jenortip
6:19 am on Friday, March 23, 2012
How are absentee ballots going to be verified?
Franz Perls
7:23 am on Friday, March 23, 2012
I succeeded in getting everyone thinking about this. Now, go out and help someone get their ID. I know I will.
KevinF
2:35 pm on Friday, March 23, 2012
I don't see how this is burdensome either. Dave had a great point, call your local representative for assistance if you do not have any valid form of identification. If they want your vote, they will make sure they get it. The election is 8 months away and I feel that is more than enough time to get things in order.
In all honesty, regardless of age, it boggles my mind how in a post 9/11 world you've gone 11 years without valid identification anyway.
Dalia
3:44 pm on Friday, March 23, 2012
What does being in a post 9/11 world have to do with having ID? I don't see much correlation between them.
Mike Shortall
3:37 pm on Tuesday, March 27, 2012
This is a long-overdue bill! One would think in this day and age when you can't use your credit card or buy cigarettes (if you look underage), everyone would have at least ONE form of photo ID. IDs without photos are worthless.
You will hear opponents to this bill cry that there is no substantial record of voter fraud that would require such a bill. But just Google "Voter identity fraud" or voter fraud" and see the hits you get! I won't even get into organizations like ACORN and their record of election crimes.
Years ago, when my mother - who never drove - needed a picture ID to fly for a trip, I took her to the PennDOT location. It took all of maybe 45 minutes on a weekday. There is no "hardship" here. And several other forms of picture ID will also be accepted.
I would agree with the sentiment expressed earlier that more time should have been granted to comply with this. Heck, I'd be in favor even of grandfathering the requirement for people over a certain age ... Let's say 65.
You can bet that all those complaining about the "hardship" the law presents would be first in line for IDs if a government-provided benefit - like ObamaCare - required it!
Jeff Lugar
5:18 pm on Tuesday, March 27, 2012
While it's a shame that I do suspect the real reason this has finally been pushed forward is to make it tough for certain segments of the population to vote, as a common sense measure to stop fraud, it should have been done long ago. Even if there's no proven problem (and I haven't looked to see one way or the other), there's nothing wrong with being proactive and making sure a problem doesn't begin.
Franz Perls
8:59 am on Wednesday, March 28, 2012
I believe we should all watch the voting results to see if there is any impact. Right off, if Philadelphia ends up with a Republican majority voting, something happened. I would say something not good with this system.
Like it or not, most Philadelphia voters are registered Democrats. This will tell the tale.
EARL NELSON
7:37 pm on Saturday, May 12, 2012
Rep or Dem it don't matter who runs the Philly Gov, their all crooks, Except Nutter, who truly cares about the city. But we all need to at least prove we are legally able to vote. And yes this is well over due.