What you need to know about PA’s new Voter ID Law

If you’re a Pennsylvania resident planning to vote this November, be sure to have your photo ID ready. As most people have heard by now, a new voter ID law passed earlier this spring requiring all PA voters to present a valid form of ID in order to enter the polling booth.

This law has taken a lot of heat from Democrats who claim it puts a burden on those who do not posses a form of photo ID, especially those who are elderly, handicapped, or poor. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) is suing the state for passing the law. They said in their case that, “Far from protecting the integrity of Pennsylvania elections, the Photo ID law will lead to elections that are no longer free or equal.”

A total of 32 states have some sort of voter ID law, so Pennsylvania isn’t alone in implementing this type of requirement.

So the important part- what does this new law mean for us as we head to the polls in November? Here are the following types of ID that will be accepted: PA driver’s license, PennDOT ID card, valid US passport, military ID, state/county/city employee ID card, college student ID card with an expiration date, and an ID from a PA care facility.  If you do not have a photo ID with you on election day, you must vote by paper ballot. You then have six days to provide your county Board of Elections with your photo ID, otherwise your vote will not be counted.

An important thing for college students to keep in mind is that most universities only offer ID cards with the date it was issued, not the date it expires. To use a college ID card as proof of identification on election day, students must request a sticker from their university with some sort of expiration date- either a graduation, end of semester, or end of the year date.

If you need to get a new ID, don’t wait until the last minute! Make sure you’re all set to vote by the time November rolls around. For more detailed information on this new law, and for ways to get an alternate form of ID, check The Committee of Seventy’s detailed voter guide here. The Committee of Seventy is a non-partisan group that advocates for fair elections, effective government, and informed citizens, and is a great resource to use during this election season.