As we move closer to Election Day, it is important to stay informed of changes to the Pennsylvania Voter ID Law. Recent updates include:
Pennsylvania care facilities, including long-term care facilities, assisted living residences or personal care homes can create their own photo IDs for residents, as long as the document includes the name of the facility, the name and photo of the voter, and an expiration date.
Department of State voter cards will be available for registered voters who are not able to provide all of the documents they would normally need to obtain a photo ID from PennDOT, such as a birth certificate. Voters will need to affirm they do not possess any other approved identification for voting and will need to provide two proofs of residence, such as a utility bill, along with their date of birth and Social Security number, if the customer has an assigned number. PennDOT will validate the voter registration status with the Department of State while the voter is in the PennDOT office. Upon confirmation of this information, the voter will be issued the voter card before leaving the PennDOT facility. These cards will be issued by PennDOT up to and through Election Day, Nov. 6, 2012, and thereafter.
In most cases, those who have a Pennsylvania driver’s license, or a non-driver's license photo ID, will not be required to bring a birth certificate, or any other proof of identification or residence, to request a non-driver photo ID for voting purposes. They will only need to give their name at a PennDOT driver's license center, and once verified as being in the system, PennDOT will provide a non-driver's license photo ID, which can be used for voting purposes. Those with licenses that expired prior to 1990 should call PennDOT’s Customer Care Center (1-800-932-4600) to verify that their information is still in the system.
For Allegheny County residents who are concerned that their ID may not be valid for the election, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette website has an interactive page to check your ID’s status: http://newsinteractive.post-gazette.com/voterID/
NO ONE legally entitled to vote will be denied the right to do so. If an individual does not have a photo ID, he or she may cast a provisional ballot, and will have six days to provide a photo ID and/or an affirmation to the local county elections office - in person, by mail, email, or fax - to have his or her ballot count.
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