I don't think it's asking too much to produce an ID when one votes. Keeps the fraud to a minimum.
Of course there's plenty of fake ID's out there so the law has its limits!

Good job ... Now Pennsylvania is in tune with most of the other States in the country.

Everyone has a photo ID in today's world. This is the right thing to do; why would anyone object to showing that you are who you claim to be? I certainly wouldn't want someone else using MY name to vote, thereby preventing me from voting! It's called fraud. It's called lying.

If the would be voter is receiving any kind of welfare assistance, that is proof that he or she is who he or she proclaims to be. Whomever is handing over the assistance has 2 months to take a picture and hand the recipient an identification card. Any argument to this logic is proof that there is an agenda to keep these citizens out of the voting
voting pool. This is a challenge to every party involved in the social welfare mechanism which automatically
includes candidates for public office.

Seems reasonable to me. Is it really necessary to have cited cases of fraud BEFORE you implement guidelines to prevent the same fraud? I remember the days of paper drivers' licenses that had NO photo, now you are required to have a photo on your DL, it that really a big deal? If you have nothing to hide and follow the rules, get your photo ID and move on.

It's a broader issue than "just out and get an ID". It's was also pushed through shortly before an election year in an important state. What was the rush? If PA pushed ALL Legislation that was "important" through like this...I would be more inclined to say "it's how PA" rolls. But it isn't, and it's not. I don't have a problem showing an ID, or HAVING someone to show an ID. I question the timing and the ulterior motive behind it.

Here's a list of almost 100 Democrats recently convicted of voter fraud. http://specfriggintacular.wordpress.com/2012/04/03/democrats-arrested-andor-convicted-of-voter-fraud/

oh, and here we go. This is NOT a Republican or Democrat issue....I can just as easily find 100+ Republicans that are just as guilty of the same thing. We're not talking about politicians (who are all fairly useless IMHO), but everyday people.

You Republican lemmings. U r so foolish u think this is about voter fraud. It's about rigging elections. You hide behind patristism and the flag while denying folks the right to vote. Vile hypocrites. We'll win but it will take more time.

Pushed through shortly? We have known this was going to happen for months. It's not a passport, just an identification card.

If you had voted in the last election, you would know that your polling place conducted a test run of the voter ID process. Everyone was asked to present a form of photo ID. You weren't required to do so, but at least the voters had a chance to see how the process would work when the law goes into full effect. You don't have to like it, you just have to do it. And if you don't like it, stay home.

Shame on the Republicans for having this law enacted prior to the Presidential elections. And, I am a Republican !! Had this law been passed shortly AFTER the presidential elections and had a longer time period for everyone to receive, properly and FREE of charge their ID this would not have been so controversial. I have ALL types of ID - license, passport, military ID - but there are some, for a myriad of reasons that the STATE will not allow them to receive ID without ID. This also goes to the surly and uninformed employees of PENNDOT !!

While I don't see the big deal about presenting a photo ID to vote, I also understand the problem it causes for some to get one in order to provide it for what is a constitutional right. I don't agree with the law, but I will abide by it and I will do what I can to help keep this new law from disenfranchising potential voters.

What irks me about this is the timing -- that the GOP pushed for this during a heated Presidential election year. This to me has the earmarks of a political move over everything else and if their intent is to prevent those most likely to vote against them from being able to vote then they have partially succeeded. The focus here should now be on getting everyone there to vote on election day with the needed IDs and every election thereafter -- so that we can vote out the people worried about "fraud" and let them know that disenfranchised does not mean dismissed.

How much boo hoo more dose one want to do? Insteat get you butt out of you home and go get your picture taken. This should not be a problem only for the Politicans that were able to raise the Dead on election day with their absentee votes. Or by sending in someone to make a vote because the person they have on record is this severe mental handicap person that has no idea and has too many disibilities to make a sound vote so that Party that pushing for their canidate get that extrat vote in. This is know as VOTER FRAUD. So because we have to produce a photo ID to prove you are that person behind the Curtain voting we have all these Politicns Crying Boo Hoo..... Oh well it goes with that Saying SHIT HAPPENS :-)

My parents are in their late 80's and no longer have valid driver's licenses. My Dad fought for this country in WWII and now he cannot vote because he does not have a valid photo ID? I find this new law to be unfair to the elderly.

There is nothing involed to go and get a Valid Photo ID, you walk into the Driver Place and request one in order to receive one. Again the BooHoo-in got to stop, if you really want to have your great Day that has served his Country take him and get the ID or call the County Voter Office were you lived in and find out what you need to get him an Absentee Ballid sent to his home if he is unable to get out. Nothing will happen if you don't sep up and do what is ask of you. The only boohoo-in going on is if you fail your father and don't help him like a good daughter should....

Well Maryellen, how awesome you're dad is a Vet. The wonderful news is - he can present his US Military ID (retired id's are acceptable). If he voted in the Primary, he was informed that he would need photo id to vote in NOV. He still has time to receive ID - and I'm sure since you're concerened about him, you will assist him or find someone who will, in obtaining a valid ID if for some reason he can't "find" his military ID. Visit www.VotesPA.com or call any local political office. They will arrange to help your father. And PENNDOT is giving out non drivers license's photo Id's free of charge. So totally unfair, right?

Obtaining a valid, non-driver photo ID seems simple enough according to this PA State website:
http://www.dmv.state.pa.us/driverlicensephotoidcenter/obtainingphotoid.shtml

I would also hope that Veterans should be able to acquire a free military photo ID. Seems the VERY LEAST we could give to those who risked everything for our country.

I don't care if there is not one case of voter fraud. Producing ID just makes sense. Why wait until it is a problem.

I thought our U.S. Constitution requires "equal protection under the law." This voter ID travesty of a law violates this key democratic principal because the poor and the elderly citizens are not equally in a position to obtain this added burden as the more well-off middle and wealthy classes in our Commonwealth. Thus their basic equal right to vote is under attach and unfairly in jeopardy under this new law, and it is therefore unconstitutional.

I totally get how showing ID does not seem like a big deal. It certainly isn't a big deal to me, but it is to some groups. Many elderly people cannot easily get a copy of their birth certificate, especially if they are from a different state. I can take my 100+ grandmother to get ID, but many elderly people do not have a support system to help them gather the correct documents and provide transportation. Most aren't computer saavy and can't easily get the information they need. Are there buses taking people in the nursing homes to line up at the DMV to get photo ID? People who are poor cannot easily take off from work (or afford to lose a day) to get ID. People with disabilities cannot easily get out and get ID. These are all people who may have voted in the last election who could possibly be denied the ability to vote in this one. Voting is a right. Telling someone that they can't vote (who is an American citizen) is a very big deal. If someone told my 100+ grandmother that she couldn't vote....it would be bad. She takes great pride in voting, as do most Americans. 12-14% of PA residents do not have valid ID. That is a HUGE number!! http://articles.philly.com/2012-07-27/news/32870331_1_voter-law-form-of-photo-identification-thousands-of-inactive-voters. Without question these numbers could tip PA toward a candidate. You need to look at how this ID law affect everyone in the big picture.

Also, I listened to a longtime judge of elections in PA talk on Public Radio yesterday, who said that the requirements of voter registration already in place since 1943, which call for a signature that is reproduced in the registration records at all polling places has served as a more that sufficient check of individual voter ID.
Anyone with moderate intelligence can see the real motivation for enacting this law on the part of the Republican legislators: namely, to de-level the playing field and give their side and their candidates a better chance of winning PA elections by suppressing voters who typically vote for Democratic Party candidates.

What is a real shame, no one has commented on the LACK of voter turn out on election day.

Cant we all just agree that career Phila politician Allyson Schwartz is a slimy, liar, P O S that needs to be defeated in Nov. ?

1,099 felons -- all ineligible to vote did vote and caused Al Franken to become the senator of Minnesota.
Why chance fraud!
In the '08 campaign, Republican Sen. Norm Coleman was running for re-election against Democrat Al Franken. It was impossibly close; on the morning after the election, after 2.9 million people had voted, Coleman led Franken by 725 votes.

Franken and his Democratic allies dispatched an army of lawyers to challenge the results. After the first canvass, Coleman's lead was down to 206 votes. That was followed by months of wrangling and litigation. In the end, Franken was declared the winner by 312 votes. He was sworn into office in July 2009, eight months after the election.
During the controversy, a conservative group called Minnesota Majority began to look into claims of voter fraud. Comparing criminal records with voting rolls, the group identified 1,099 felons -- all ineligible to vote -- who had voted in the Franken-Coleman race. VOTER FRAUD DOES EXIST! Maybe even against Democrats!

Showing an ID is not the problem; the problem is obtaining an ID. When you apply for an ID you have to prove you are who you say you are. You need a copy of a birth certificate, which a lot of disabled and elderly do not have and there is a fee to obtain one. So it is NOT free. The name on the birth certificate must match the name on any other idenficiation you show. So if you are divorced, and you obtain a copy of your birth cerficate your name will be different that the one on you SS card, employee ID or even military ID. If you read some of the accounts in the Inquirer, it is unbelievable what you must do to get a Voter ID. Even our silent governor does not know what is in the law; he just signed. And don't forget what Muraski stated - it is going to help Romney win in PA. Good luck with that. This law should have been made effective after the election so everyone has enough time and money to obtain an ID. And, the parties stipulated before the trial that there is NO voter fraud in PA.

Remember the name, Judge Robert Simpson, when he comes up for a vote for retention to the Commonwealth Bench!

@John Bahn
"If you have half a brain" YOU would know the Head of the Department of Justice is the Attorney General, Eric Holder. Not William Holder as you so named and you yourself seem confused. Check your facts and don't insult my intelligence.

Well, at least this resolves the "Hanging Chad" issue.

You have to have the correct ID in order to vote and they will only accept certain types of backup documentation. Not everyone has a copy of their birth certificate. I didn't say a disabled person didn't have a birth certificate. They may not have a copy in their possession and have no means of obtaining one. If a person has been voting at the same place for years and years, it is ludricrous to have to show ID. Some places will accept a utility bill in your name, but not PA. Again, there is NO voter fraud in PA. Both parties stipulated to that fact before the trial. There is no vote fraud in PA. MN has nothing to do with PA. This was done to suppress the vote as was stated by the Republican Assemblyman. And Stan, I will remember Judge Simpson. Maybe some of these people don't drink adult beverages (whatever that is) or drive a car and they probably have been using the same back for year and everyone knows them. And I really don't understand why you will be willing to pay an extra $2700 in taxes so RR would only have to pay 0.86% tax on their income. Walmart Republicans. And that $77,000 tax deduction for the dancing horse - that's a lot more thansome that some people make in a year. They only care about the rich, rich and rich.

When people go to vote, it is to a local polling place. More often than not, people at the polls know the voter by face if not by name because they live nearby. Because there are definitely many folks without picture ID why isn't recognition of them as a member of the community and/or their ability to match the signature which matches their original registration from a previous election good enough? Will these people who voted once, ten times or seventy times before really be turned away now?

If you were not born in PA, you may not get your birth certificate in time. Below are some questions re: the ID law.

I don’t have any of the forms of ID you mentioned.

You can apply for a PennDOT Photo Identification Card by submitting form DL‐54A and signing an Oath/Affirmation that you don’t have an acceptable form of ID in order to vote. Click here for more info: http://www.dmv.state.pa.us/voter/voteridlaw.shtml. When completing the application, you will need to provide:
Your social security card, AND
Your official birth certificate (with a raised seal), certificate of U.S. citizenship, certificate of naturalization or a valid U.S. passport, AND
Two proofs of residency, e.g., lease agreement, mortgage documents, W‐2 form, tax records or current utility bill

What if my name changed and doesn’t “match” the name on some documents I’m showing PennDOT?

PennDOT recommends bringing documents that “connect” the names. For example, if you got married or divorced, it’s a good idea to bring a marriage certificate or a divorce decree.

I live with my parents. Where am I going to get two proofs of residency?

You can bring one of your parents with you to PennDOT to show their driver’s license or non‐driver’s photo ID. As a second proof of residency, you can bring a bank statement, paystub or a credit card bill as long as the address matches the address on your parent’s ID.

Molly Morris commented on Judge Upholds Pennsylvania's Voter ID Law, which you are following.

"You have to have the correct ID in order to vote and they will only accept certain types of backup documentation. Not everyone has a copy of their birth certificate. I didn't say a disabled person didn't have a birth certificate. They may not have a copy in their possession and have no means of obtaining one. If a person has been voting at the same place for years and years, it is ludricrous to have to show ID. Some places will accept a utility bill in your name, but not PA. Again, there is NO voter fraud in PA. Both parties stipulated to that fact before the trial. There is no vote fraud in PA. MN has nothing to do with PA. This was done to suppress the vote as was stated by the Republican Assemblyman. And Stan, I will remember Judge Simpson. Maybe some of these people don't drink adult beverages (whatever that is) or drive a car and they probably have been using the same back for year and everyone knows them. And I really don't understand why you will be willing to pay an extra $2700 in taxes so RR would only have to pay 0.86% tax on their income. Walmart Republicans. And that $77,000 tax deduction for the dancing horse - that's a lot more thansome that some people make in a year. They only care about the rich, rich and rich."

Molly, stop frothing at the mouth, I am in agreement with you.

This legislation is long overdue. Yes, corrupt people are going to suffer with this legislation. But, there have been documented instances in Philadelphia where more than 100% of the registered voters have cast a vote in a contested election. It cost nothing for a photo iD. Get over it!

I guess if a person don't have a copy of their birth certificate, get it. You need it for more than just voting.

Why do people like by providing ID it will prevent fraud when voting machines seem to be the REAL problem if you want to prevent fraud look into http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=7926958774822130737
and http://money.cnn.com/magazines/fortune/fortune_archive/2006/11/13/8393084/index.htm
Remember your President is selected not elected thanks for your time....

@ Mr. Lupo,
The comment demonstrates that a "voter i.d" no more prevents fraud then...
-a fake id to get alcohol for minors
-a fake id to get tobacco for minors
-a fake id to buy fire works, use stolen credit cards, drive a vehicle on the roads of the commonwealth...
Getting the picture?
Mandatory I.D's ENCOURAGE fraud, not Discourage it.
The elephant in the room (no pun intended) is the majority of voter fraud is committed by the VERY FRAUDS we are voting for.
That sir is MY reasoning process.

Molly---- I heard you don't have to show your ID when you are"working on your corner" Golden Cockroach has you on her blog. You should not be doing what you are doing. When I was younger you were called a "trick". I hope you don't have kids.
Stop it NOW!!!!!

@John Babn
No problem, I was just trying to correct the major mistake you made referring to Eric Holder. I am actually much of the opinion that voter fraud does occur regularly and I am a huge proponent of voters having to show their ID to vote. Also, Eric Holder is an idiot and he is responsible for one of the biggest political screw ups in recent history. I'm referring to the BATFE sponsored "Fast and Furious" gun scandal that required President Obama to use Executive Privilege to save their asses from being run out of government. I am a Registered Democrat, but I am starting to lean towards the Republican views on a lot of issues. I am so tired of people pissing and moaning over the fact that they may actually have to prove who the hell they are when it comes time to vote. Give me a break!

When the Democ Rats get caught : "Oh , both sides do it " right out of the Communist manifesto ! To paraphrase Carvile (slick willie's point man } Demofraud in Philly ,Demofraud in Pittsburg ,and honest voters inbetween !

Those who are against photo id for voting privileges, "doth protest too much." If there is no fraud, then don't worry about the legality of the photo id. We need id for almost everything. Identifications are required to buy alcohol, cigarettes, to even make a $20 withdrawal from your own bank account. WHY on earth are you all getting so bent out of shape because we have to have a photo id to VOTE?!

Why do you have to show an ID to vote (a consitutional RIGHT) but you can buy guns and amno with showing any kind of ID. Guns kill. There is no voter fraud in PA. Read the Inquirer today and see how difficult it can be for some people to obtain the birth certificate. The problem is not showing the ID, the problem is the hoops you have to jump through and the paperwork necessary to obtain it. To the woman who suggested that I take my father to get his ID he passed away in 2005. Some of you are so nasty. Watch the Daily Show or Colbert and laugh a little.

How telltale is it that the Dems/libs are the ones screaming so loudly about the voter fraud issue and the timing being right before an election? Anyone ever heard the expression "a guilty conscience needs no accuser?" So sorry a stumbling block might have been placed in their way to try to steal the election.

You need ID for everything you do these days. Anyone who says the poor elderly, sick, disabled .... can't get one is making excuses. Guess what? They all seem to manage showing ID for their Dr visits, cashing SSI, applying for welfare and so on. Your right to vote is not being denied! Your choice is being protected.

Lisa is ignorant. None of the things she mentions is a constitutionally guaranteed right.

Read a book, or at least part of it.

How great is it that you need a picture ID to get in the Dem convention ?

FACT: The Pennsylvania Transportation Department estimates that approximately 9 percent of registered voters do not have state-issued photo IDs. Under that state's voter ID law, those 758,000 voters will not be able to cast their ballot, come November. Ray Suarez reports on the implications of this law for the 2012 elections.

When you go to a doctor's office or the hospital what is the first thing they ask you to show? Insurance cards and photo ID. Now tell me how people who are legal citizens get healthcare without it. Voter fraud may not be able to be proven but thugs that stop people from voting are a reality.

Voter ID is essential to ensure the sanctity of the vote. It's absolutely ludicrous to suggest that because there may be few documented cases of voter fraud that that proves there is no fraud. I submit that voter fraud is a crime which, by its very nature is extemely difficult to detect and prosecute. If I voted in place of a deceased person or many deceased persons for that matter and the poll worker didn't personally know that individual, how would they know my vote was fraudulant? They wouldn't. You just give them a name and cast your ballot. Therefore, that act would remain undetected. The same can be said for voting numerous times. We need ID for almost anything, so why not just get one to vote? In regard to the "rush to pass" the law, apparently the previous Dem administration didn't see a need for it. Could it be they enjoyed the "undocumented" benefits?