PennDOT Issuing Free Department of State Voter ID Cards at Driver Licensing Centers

New ID is a Safety Net for Residents who cannot obtain other types of Photo Identification

HARRISBURG, Pa., Aug. 27, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Since the Pennsylvania Voter ID law was enacted in March, PennDOT has been working closely with the Department of State to ensure that every voter has the opportunity to obtain photo identification. Starting today in Pittsburgh and statewide on Aug. 28, voters who lack verification documents necessary for a secure Pennsylvania Photo ID (non-driver's license ID card), will be able to obtain a new Department of State voter identification card for free by visiting a PennDOT Driver License Center.

"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 PennDOT Secretary Barry J. Schoch.  

The Department of State Voter ID is valid only for voting purposes. For this reason, if a resident has the necessary documents, PennDOT's primary focus is to issue a secure Pennsylvania identification.

If the customer was born in Pennsylvania but does not possess a birth certificate with a raised seal, PennDOT works directly with Department of Health to certify the customer's birth record. If the customer still cannot qualify for a PennDOT secure ID, the department will then work to issue the new Department of State Voter ID card.

Residents who want the new Department of State Voter ID will need to provide their name, address, Social Security number, proof of residency and previous name and/or address if changed in the past 12 months. The applicant must complete a Department of State ID application form and sign a document affirming that they are a registered voter but have no other form of identification that can be used for voting. Staff at the Driver License Center will contact the Department of State to confirm that the person is registered to vote. Once verified, the person will receive the free Department of State Voter ID, which is valid for 10 years.

PennDOT has posted signs to assist customers seeking Voter Identification cards at the state's 71 Driver License Centers. The downtown Pittsburgh center has the new Department of State Voter ID cards available today. The other centers statewide that are closed on Mondays will have them on Aug. 28. PennDOT serves about 2.4 million customers at the centers each year.

For more information on voting and the types of photo ID's that can be used at the polls, visit www.votespa.com or www.dos.state.pa.us.

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Media contact: Jan McKnight, 717-787-0485

SOURCE PennDOT