Free Voter ID Now Available at PennDOT Centers
Voters need a valid photo ID for the November election and special Voter ID cards are now available at driver's license centers
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By Eric Boehm | PA Independent
HARRISBURG — Pennsylvanians have nine weeks and counting to get a valid photo ID in order to vote in November’s general election.
The state Department of Transportation began issuing free special “voting-only” photo ID cards at drivers’ license centers statewide last week. In the Lehigh Valley, the free ID cards are available at PennDOT driver's license centers in Allentown and Easton.
Residents who want the new ID card will need to provide their name, address, Social Security number and proof of residency. Applicants must complete an application form and sign a document affirming they are registered to vote, but have no other form of identification that can be used at the polls.
“Our goal is to ensure that every person who needs an ID can get one, and this new ID serves as a safety net for those who can’t find or obtain verification documents normally required for a PennDOT secure identification card,” said Barry Schoch, the state Secretary of Transportation, in a statement.
Supporters of the law say it will stamp out voter fraud and ensure all votes are cast legitimately.
Opponents say voters will have a difficult time getting the necessary identification before Nov. 6, in part because there are not PennDOT license centers in all 67 counties.
The voter ID appeal is scheduled to go before the state Supreme Court on Sept. 13 in Philadelphia. The court also will hear oral arguments on the revised state redistricting maps that day.
Contact Eric at Eric@PAIndependent.com or follow @PAIndependent on Twitter.
Jason Kramer
12:47 pm on Tuesday, September 4, 2012
I'm all for requiring a photo ID in order to vote. People that are not US citizens should not be allowed to vote for our US President. Requiring this card or other valid ID card would help eliminate that.
Cliffy44
3:32 pm on Thursday, September 27, 2012
Jason Kramer - Voter ID would also inhibit deceased people from voting.
The only people thjat do not want Voter ID are the obama-loving buttholes that want to cheat; as the Liar-In-Chief has no chance to win in a legitimate election; especially, if he runs on his record.
I am very glad that you and I agree on the Voter ID issue; and I have been a poll worker, for the past eight years.
Nick Van Valkenburgh
3:54 pm on Thursday, September 27, 2012
Cliffy - You have me speechless. I thought we were having an intelligent conversation here. My bad.
There is no proof that voter fraud has had any influence on any election outcome, and the citizens, legitimate voters, who are now getting ostracized by these new laws are being railroaded by clever, convincing, and very manipulative Republican-controlled states. It's the conservative right that has coordinated these new laws into eliminating those they could not convince with their weak arguments. I say give every legitimate citizen/voter their Constitutionally-provided right and let's see how the chips fall. Isn't that what this county is all about?
Ronnie DelBacco
1:07 pm on Tuesday, September 4, 2012
If you or someone you know needs a ride, regardless of your party affiliation, you can count on the local Republican Committee to help. John VanArman, Chairman of the Easton Republican Committee, in a previous story here on Patch has offered to give anyone a ride to DMV.
Also, Wayne Woodman of the Lehigh County Republican Party offered his services for the same purpose.
For all the complaining democrats are doing about this new law, I haven't seen a single public offer from any of them to help get folks to DMV for their FREE Photo ID.
Not unrelated, isn't it ironic that to enter the DNC this week in Charlotte you would be required to show a photo ID.
Hypocritical?
Frightwingslayer
4:58 pm on Tuesday, September 4, 2012
Woodman's phone number is 610-435-3322..I'd like to see what he does when hundreds of folks call and ask for help. Is he going to drive them and sit with each one for hours at the center till they get waited on..Good luck with that..Please pass his number to all who need help..
Frightwingslayer
4:51 pm on Tuesday, September 4, 2012
Republicans make me laugh..Millions and millions of dollars wasted on a program to avoid voter fraud that they themselves admitted never existed....God love em..Have you morons ever been to one of these centers to get someone an ID..They are understaffed and people have to wait for hours and hours to get help. That might be alright for us but what about the seniors. If they have no license also, how are they getting there? You??? Ha ha ..Right!
louis kootsares
8:34 am on Thursday, September 6, 2012
what is funny is people who think voter fraud does not exist...right now republicans are the honest party,i am not alone in thinking that ayatolla obahma and his thugs would not stoop to figuring out how to let the illegals vote
Nick Van Valkenburgh
9:07 pm on Tuesday, September 18, 2012
Voter fraud accounted for .00004% of all votes tallied in the last 6 years. Voter fraud? WHAT voter fraud?
Barbara Scherer
3:33 pm on Tuesday, September 18, 2012
I challenge all houses of worship and other volunteer agencies to gather together volunteers and provide help to any senior who has difficulty in getting to the ID centers. Also, be available on voting day to transport those in their groups to the voting place. If we all work together, this can be accomplished. But don't wait; make the offer now!
Eric W
8:59 pm on Friday, September 21, 2012
They need to offer photo id services at every polling place. That is the only fair thing to do.
Ben Miller
11:07 pm on Friday, September 21, 2012
No, "They" don't. Being an American isn't only about your rights and freedoms. It also comes with responsibilities. You think it's the government's responsibility to bring free photo id service to the voters instead of the voters getting off their lazy rear ends and getting an id. Have you ever thought how few people don't have id's?
The real question is how can anybody be against requiring an id to vote? You would rather let anyone vote and take their word for it that they are who they say they are. If you owned a business, would you give people products and take their word that they will pay later? If you get pulled over by a cop, do they take your word for it that you are who you say you are? Most companies now have photo id's. Why don't they just take people's word for it that they are who they say they are? Do airports let you get on a plane without an id?
Eric W
1:37 am on Saturday, September 22, 2012
Ben Miller, you are confused. Why does Pennsylvania need this law? New Jersey does not have it. Only Pennsylvania residents are expected to provide identification? Are Pennsylvanians over-represented in voter fraud cases or something? Have you ever voted? I am guessing you haven't. When you vote, you do have to show your registration. How do you get your voter registration? By proving you are eligible to vote. Case closed. So, now tell me: why do you need this additional level of identification? So, if we use your examples of a police officer asking to see your drivers license: we can skew it to fit this scenario as follows: "Can I see your license to drive?" .. you hand the cop your license. the cop then asks, "Can I see your license to have a license to drive."... pretty weird, isnt it? Well, that is exactly how the state of Pennsylvania wants to handle voting rights. They want an extra layer of identification legislation on top of an existing layer of identification legislation. It just doesn't make sense. So, think about that next time you support this stupid law.
Nick Van Valkenburgh
6:42 pm on Saturday, September 22, 2012
Eric W - I couldn't agree more, though PA is far from the only state requiring this. You do not need a photo ID to be a citizen of this country, and by being a citizen, you are guaranteed the right to vote. A majority of the states in this country have passed laws requiring an additional level of ID to vote, with the ONLY intention of denying certain segments of the population that right. And everybody knows those segments are more apt to vote Democratic and not Republican, hence, the overwhelming majority of those states being governed by Republican senates and Republican governors. It's absurd that these states have swindled the general public and stolen an incredibly important right that ALL citizens should have, regardless of political allegiance. In the realm of supporting the US Constitution, these laws should be illegal!
Cliffy44
3:44 pm on Thursday, September 27, 2012
Nick Van Valk - You say that you don't need a photo ID to be a citizen of this country?
SO, I guess that you don't have a driver's license, or a means of employment, nor a bank account.
Being a citizen does NOT grant you the right to vote, if you've committed a felony.
There are some 39 states where responsible citizens realize that the only people that are opposed to this law are the obama-loving buttholes that want to cheat. Some of whom have been paid to vote more than once.
I know that because I received an E-Mail trying to solicit me with a monetary incentive to use a dead voter's registration at a polling place other than my own. - How despicable.
Wayne Schissler
9:33 pm on Saturday, September 22, 2012
Pretty soon the Federal government will require that every citizen prove that they are insured (The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act - aka ObamaCare) - Somehow that does not bother the same crowd that is upset by a requirement as sensible as proving your eligibility to vote. Especially hypocritical when the voter ID is available for free while lack of insurance will garner you a fine.
Nick Van Valkenburgh
10:10 pm on Saturday, September 22, 2012
You're missing the point here. We already HAD ways of proving our eligibility to vote in place, ways that didn't disenfranchise any segments of our population. Because we were sold a bill of goods about the 'problem' of voter fraud, laws were passed that now prevent legitimate citizens from voting, and these are specifically-targeted segments. This is the only topic under discussion here.
Wayne Schissler
10:49 pm on Saturday, September 22, 2012
Were you paying attention during the 2000 election? Since that election and the Florida debacle there has been a gaggle of lawyers showing up at anticipated close or controversial elections ready to scrutinize and invalidate an opponents ballots. I'm all for a voter ID which will protect and secure the votes of legitimate voters.
If you show up at a poll without your ID, guess what - you'll be given a provisional ballot. If the election is so close that these ballots may matter you will have party lawyers there eager to assist you in validating these ballots.
I'm not missing your point - your point is wrong. Judges have already ruled that a supposed lack of proven fraud does not invalidate a law to prevent it.
Besides, Chris Matthews is already on record stating that voter fraud happens in Philly... if you need to know it exists:
http://spectator.org/blog/2012/06/27/did-chris-matthews-participate
Cliffy44
3:56 pm on Thursday, September 27, 2012
IF someone is legitimately able and allowed to vote, than the Voter ID law should be of no concern to them, whatsoever.
It's the obama loving corrupt buttholes that realize that the only way that the muslim will get re-elected is if they cheat. OR the Liar-In-Chief could run on his record.
That's a laugh.
So tell me - Do you think that you're better off now, than we were 4 years ago?
How much did you pay for a gallon of gasoline, 4 years ago????
IF the muslim steals the election (AGAIN), we will never ever be able to vote again; and we will live in an environment that resembles a war-torn nation - complete with destroyed pavement everywhere and with no electricity, on a regular basis.
You think that I'm wrong?
Dear GOD (and not faggot allah), I hope that I am wrong; and that we never have to find out, once President Romney is in office and the kenyan is either deported or part of his new vocation would involve asking patrons if they want fries with their offer.
http://politicaloutcast.com/2012/09/youll-need-an-id-to-prove-youre-a-democrat-but-not-to-vote
Nick Van Valkenburgh
6:13 pm on Thursday, September 27, 2012
Wow. At least get your facts straight before you show your ignorance. It's not really all that hard.