Governor Corbett Signs Voter ID Bill to Require Photo Identification

HARRISBURG, Pa., March 14, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Governor Tom Corbett today signed into law House Bill 934, also known as the Photo Voter ID bill, which will require Pennsylvanians to produce photo identification when they vote.

"I am signing this bill because it protects a sacred principle, one shared by every citizen of this nation. That principle is: one person, one vote,'' Corbett said. "It sets a simple and clear standard to protect the integrity of our elections.''

The law goes into effect immediately, but the photo ID will not be required for the primary election next month. However, voters will be reminded at that time that a photo ID will be required for November's general election.

Studies show that 99 percent of Pennsylvania's eligible voters already have acceptable photo IDs. Any voter who does not have an acceptable form of photo ID can get one, free of charge, at any PennDOT driver license center.

A recent poll determined that 87 percent of Pennsylvania voters favor a law requiring identification at the polls. Thirty-one other states currently require identification and 15 of them require a photo ID.

Some examples of a photo ID include a Pennsylvania driver's license or non-driver license photo ID, a military ID, valid U.S. passport, county or municipal employee ID, college ID or personal care home ID. All photo IDs must be current and include an expiration date.

This law is designed to make sure all citizens legally entitled to vote can do so. Individuals applying to register to vote must be:

• A citizen of the United States for at least one month before an election;
• A resident of Pennsylvania and the election district in which the individual desires to register and vote for at least 30 days before the election; and
• At least 18 years of age on or before the election.

Election laws fall under the jurisdiction of the Department of State.

"This law will help us preserve the integrity of every vote in Pennsylvania,'' said Secretary of the Commonwealth Carol Aichele. "No one entitled to vote will be denied that right by this bill, but by preventing those not legally allowed to vote from casting ballots, we will make sure every vote carries the weight it should in deciding elections.'' 

For more information on the voter ID law or voter registration, call the Department of State's toll-free hotline at 1-877-VOTESPA (1-877-868-3772) or visit www.VotesPA.com.

Media contacts:
Janet Kelley, Governor's Office, 717-783-1116
Ron Ruman, Dept. of State, 717-783-1621

SOURCE Pennsylvania Office of the Governor