Are Photo IDs Necessary at the Polls?

Earlier this month, the Pennsylvania House of Representatives passed and Gov. Tom Corbett signed into law a controversial new measure that will require voters to show a photo identification card at polling places beginning with the general election in November.

Many are decrying the new legislation as a threat that could disenfranchise as many as 11 percent of eligible voters who do not possess a government photo ID card, many of whom are senior citizens, disabled, minorities and young voters.

"This legislation ignores the tremendous inconvenience it will create for seniors who don't have a driver's license,” said state Rep. Bob Freeman (D-136), whose district includes the Borough of Hellertown. “With limited or no public transportation to suburban PennDOT photo centers, this proposal puts a tremendous barrier in the way of seniors legitimately registered to vote as they seek to cast their ballot."

Among those who oppose the new law are the League of Women Voters, AARP and the County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania, which says that the law will place undue stress on those who supervise elections at the polls.

The bill passed the House, primarily along party lines, with Republicans in support of it and Democrats opposing it. Locally, Democratic Reps. , and Freeman all voted against the legislation.

, whose district includes part of Lower Saucon Township, supported the bill.

In his emailed Weekly Roundup of March 16, Simmons explained that "valid forms of identification must include a name, photo and expiration date, except when an individual presents a military ID card. A driver’s license or ID card issued by PennDOT, military ID cards, cards issued by an accredited Pennsylvania university or a licensed nursing home will all be accepted."

Simmons said the voter ID law, which will take full effect with November's general election, will help ensure the integrity of the voting process. In the April 24 primary election, voters will be asked, but not required, to show identification.

Democrats such as Freeman, however, maintain that voter fraud is not common in Pennsylvania.

"This bill is unnecessary and a real threat to disenfranchise voters," Freeman said during the bill's debate in the House chamber. "If you look at the cases of voter fraud, there have only been four voters convicted since 2004. As the Philadelphia Inquirer so aptly put it, this is a 'fix in search of a problem.'”

What do you think? Vote in our poll and tell us more in the comments.