Secretary of Commonwealth Visits Several Philadelphia Polling Places, Reports Voter ID 'Soft Rollout' Going Well

HARRISBURG, Pa., April 24, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Secretary of the Commonwealth Carol Aichele today visited several polling places in Philadelphia to get a first-hand look at how the voter ID "soft rollout" was working.

"From what I observed, most voters came with photo ID and presented it when asked to do so by poll workers," said Aichele, whose department oversees elections.  "The process seemed to work well."

While photo ID was requested by poll workers today, it was not required to vote, but will be needed for the November election, under Pennsylvania's new voter ID law.

Governor Tom Corbett signed Pennsylvania's voter ID law into law in March, making Pennsylvania the 16th state to require photo ID when voting.

"Voter ID is a common-sense way to preserve the integrity of every vote, by providing a reliable way to verify the identity of each voter," Aichele said. "This law will help prevent legal votes from being canceled or diluted by illegally cast ballots."

Aichele visited several polling sites in Philadelphia's 66th ward, including Knights Road, Ryan Avenue, Academy and Torrey Roads, Red Lion and Caldera Roads, as well as Frankford Avenue and Hartel Street.

Officials in the Bureau of Commissions, Elections, and Legislation also reportedly heard no concerns from county election directors about the voter ID law.

Starting with the November election, all photo IDs must be current and contain an expiration date, unless otherwise noted. 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;
• 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, Pennsylvania state, or a Pennsylvania county or municipal government;
• Photo IDs from an accredited public or private Pennsylvania college or university; or
• Photo IDs issued by a Pennsylvania care facility, including long-term care facilities, assisted living residences or personal care homes.

Information on the voter ID law is available at www.VotesPA.com, or by calling 1-877-VOTESPA.  Any voter who does not have an acceptable form of photo ID can get one at any PennDOT driver license center free of charge.

Media contact: Ron Ruman, 717-783-1621

SOURCE Pennsylvania Department of State