Some say there's rampant voter fraud and pa must have photo id in time for the presidential election, yet the state signed off in the current lawsuit that they have no cases of in person voter fraud.

The State Department, run by our own Carol Aichele and Shannon Royer, can't seem to quite get the rules right. They continue to make changes to attempt to now accommodate one of the strictest laws in the country.

People on the PennDot mismatched list received a letter from the Carol- however it doesn't tell them why they are on the list. It has left some people thinking they are ok IF they have a Drivers license. It doesn't tell them that their name on the voter roll is different from their drivers license which will prevent them from voting on election day.
.
This is a problem for Republicans, Dems, Ind....middle class, rich, elected officials- anyone can lose their right to vote right now.

Voter Services seems to be overwhelmed. Your best bet is to go to this site www.corbettslist.com to see if you are on the list or not. It’s a democratic website but it will at least tell you if you have to dig deeper. My guess is if you sign up with them they’ll have your contact info.

P.S. Kudos to candidate Susan Rzucidlo, who is running against Chris Ross for the headsup letter she sent to people in her district who are on the list before the State Department sent theirs.

While the notion of an ID seems fine, the problem with this law are the barriers to getting one. While some can say it is free - it is not. The cost to obtain some documents required are prohibitive to those who are born out of state, or out of country or in areas where their birth may not have been recorded in state databases (some rural areas in this our own great nation). Most employer ID's do not have expiration dates, some counties do not even have a PennDot drivers center. For those who are not heads of household to produce documents that have their name as the responsible party for heat, water, electric simply do not exist as proof of residence. The state keeps changing the rules, and now we have mass confusion. Top this off with people who have ID and don't even realize at this moment their drivers license may not match the name on their voter registration card. So now they are potentially disenfranchised as well? Come on.

This law was ill conceived in its unintended consequences and violates the Constitution in terms of what would be construed as a poll tax. So, in my estimation they need to put it on hold, go back to the drawing board and come up with something better. We are too close to a critical election to be messing with the right to vote. As there is no evidence of rampant voter fraud this is a non-issue. And no amount of scare and screaming can convince me otherwise.

This is classic dirty tricks by the Republicans. Ther is an inaccuracy in the article about the purpose of this law. Let's take it right from the Republican leader of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives.

"At a June GOP rally, House Majority Leader Mike Turzai sparked outrage among voting-rights proponents when he trumpeted the new law as an accomplishment that would pay political dividends to the Republican nominee.

"Voter ID, which is going to allow Gov. Romney to win the state of Pennsylvania: done," Turzai said, eliciting cheers from the partisan crowd."

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-503544_162-57487130-503544/despite-polls-romney-camp-sees-opportunity-in-pa/

We should be proud that Pennsylvania Republicans are resorting to the Jim Crow tactics of the southern states 30 years ago?

Hubris, you first sentence says it all--what a pathetic and cynical view of democracy.

your chart above with numbers of voters is a bit confusing.

Here are a couple more articles about the subject (not necessarily just PA). They give a different perspective especially since this article uses two liberal sources (Huffington Post and the New York Times).

http://www.ijreview.com/2012/08/12308-why-dems-oppose-voter-id-laws/

http://www.theblaze.com/stories/election-integrity-watchdog-sends-notice-to-160-counties-it-says-have-more-registered-voters-than-are-actually-eligible-to-vote/

Enjoy.

So, let me make sure I understand this correctly.  I have a middle initial on my PA Drivers License.  If I show up to the Polls and my middle initial is missing from the registration list, I lose my right to vote?  Hmmm.  If I am not mistaken, the PA Department of Revenue doesn't care about my middle initial when I pay my taxes.  Perhaps we should tie the two together?  For instance, if you are denied the right to vote based on registration, you should also be denied the right to pay taxes?  Here is a new twist on an old phrase, "no taxation without representation." If I cannot vote, I am no longer represented. 

People, good people are about to become collateral damage this election. 

The Democratic Party - stil the party of slavery.

http://www.runawayslavemovie.com/

Just wondering why people cannot comment based on the specifics of an issue, but instead find it necessary to "take shots" at individuals or parties. Just wondering.

Any one fraudulent vote cancels my legitimate vote...so I'm all for having everyone legitimately. People often resist change. It may be a little inconvenient, but it is doable for everyone if they desire to obtain an id. Change for the better happens. There is plenty of time for 'all folks' to get an id... if everyone needs to have health insurance or be fined, then everyone can be expected to get an id. If you are who you are, just produce the proof. It will help keep those 'dead voters' from rising from the dead....let's stop any and all voter fraud!

As far as I know everyone has to have and ID to go to a hospital, doctor's office, go on a plane, buy liquor, veryify your credit card, etc. So why shouldn't you have to have an ID to show when you vote. There are very few cases where one cannot get and ID and anyone who is having a problem can go to various places for help. One can even get rides to go get the ID. It may take some effort but it can be done.
Further, if you don't have id at the time of voting there is the provisional vote. Voter ID should have been done long ago.

Barbara Alexander

As an Independent I really don’t believe there is a need for this law and it is clearly a Republican, attempt to reduce the number of Democrat voters. Once you wade through the conspiracy theorist and cryptic racist statement the fact is there is virtually no data to support such a clearly partisan law. Pointing to handful of potential fraudulent voters in a state with over 8.5 million registered voters is just nonsense and a waste of money and time.

Presidential Hypocrisy. Photo ID’s Required at Michelle Obama’s Book Signings.
http://freedombytheway.com/2012/06/07/presidential-hypocrisy-photo-ids-required-at-michelle-obamas-book-signings/

I think its a bit hypocritical for conservatives to force a new mandate when their mantra has always been less gov't interference. I guess that only counts when it is related to their agenda. If an ID is a requirement to vote then the next step is to force all people in the state to carry an ID at all times. I carry my drivers license so its really not an issue. It will be an issue though if they reject that form of ID because of a slight name difference IE. middle name showing on voter registration but not on my drivers license.

So this leaves the question... How do I verify how my name is listed on the voter registration database? Do i really have to check that, match it to my drivers license before I go to the voting both to make sure I do not get turned away?

Yes u do. I then sent them a fax of my license along with a signature that matches my name on my license. According to Maria at Chester County voter services they will then scan my signature and update the voter rolls we sign on election day.
Their number is 6103446410. Let's all remember who is responsible for this unnecessary inconvenience. PA republicans!!!

Really?....This debate is so ridiculously premediated the only thing I can say for is PEOPLE SPEAK UP AND PROTECT YOUR CIVIL RIGHTs or they will be taken from you. Don't worry it won't be dehumanizing it will be called unionization.....lololol

How much will this law cost PA taxpayers? Republicans are cutting funding for everything else but they can find money to pay for these unnecessary partisan shenanigans?

@ Janice Farland -

No hanky panky at the polls you say?

Federal Court finds Obama appointees interfered with New Black Panther prosecution

http://washingtonexaminer.com/federal-court-finds-obama-appointees-interfered-with-new-black-panther-prosecution/article/2503500

"The New Black Panthers case stems from a Election Day 2008 incident where two members of the New Black Panther Party were filmed outside a polling place intimidating voters and poll watchers by brandishing a billy club. Justice Department lawyers investigated the case, filed charges, and when the Panthers failed to respond, a federal court in Philadelphia entered a “default” against all the Panthers defendants. But after Obama was sworn in, the Justice Department reversed course, dismissed charges against three of the defendants, and let the fourth off with a narrowly tailored restraining order."

The old saying here in Philly, "vote early and often", didn't come about for naught.

I'VE HAD TO SHOW PICTURE ID EVERY TIME I'VE VOTED SINCE 1968.

You're right - what's the big deal?

When I lived in Delaware County I always had to show my ID to vote. I thought everyone did until I moved to Chester County.

These days I have to show ID when I cash a check, go to the doctor, rent a car and sometimes even when I use my credit card. In fact, I even have to show ID to use my membership at Longwood Gardens.

Why aren't you picking on Longwood Gardens?

If even Longwood Gardens expects members to show their ID along with their membership card, what's the problem with the state doing the same?

And if it's important enough to vote, check and make sure you are properly registered, If you aren't, serious voters still have almost three months fix it.

Showing a photo ID when exercising the most basic right of citizenship is a no-brainer.

Jim T u had a picture ID in 1968? What state was that from? My 1st election was in 1980 and new jersey still had paper licenses. I think your post is bs.

Just my thoughts, a voter id law was brought up here Nebraska in the unicameral but it got defeated. Now most will ask, who cares about Nebraska, a valid point (which I do not care to defend) but here are some facts that the law would have had on Nebraskans.
1. A Valid ID is not just an drivers license which is not expired, but one that has your current home address on it.
2. According to the Nebraska DMV up to 130,000 of Nebraskans do not have a valid ID for various reasons including change of of address.
3. A vast majority of those affected by voter ID requirements are youth and low income voters, the most mobile segments of society.
4. The cost to obtain a valid ID to vote will be $26.00 every time you move.
5. An estimated 485,569 Nebraskans do not have access to a DMV open five days a week.
6. Voter ID laws will affect 80,763 elderly and homebound Nebraskans who are unable to make it to the DMV to get proper identification to vote.
7. Rural Nebraska is adversely affected by Voter ID laws in that the local DMV office further away and a vast majority are not open the entire week.
8. Voter ID only protects against voter impersonation. The rarest form of voter fraud in the nation. The introducer of the legislation and Nebraska Deputy Secretary of State both testified voter impersonation is not a problem.

source :Nebraskans for Civic Reform (NCR) is a non-partisan, non-profit organization. NCR's Board of Directors consists of both Republicans and Democrats.

Let's start a list for when you must have an id:
- to get food stamps,
- apply for government rent assistance,
- applying to a local, state or federal government to hold a protest or rally,
- to walk through the front door of the US Justice Department,
- to tour the White House,
- to cash a check at a bank (unless the teller knows you),
- go through security at an airport (fly on a plane),
- enter Busch Gardens in Florida,
- purchase alcohol (many places have a 'card everyone' policy),
- purchase a gun,
- purchase tobacco products (if you look under 27 or younger),
- apply for a loan,
- open a bank account at a new bank,
- get a marriage license,
- get or renew a drivers license,
- get a mortgage,
- rent an apartment,
- go to the emergency room,
- apply for life insurance,
- begin a new job,
- check into a hotel/motel room,
- rent a car,
- initial registration of an automobile,
- purchasing OTC medicine that contains pseudo-ephedrine,
- serving jury duty,
- entering a military base,
- applying for a passport,
-
-
-
....add more.....

again... its valid ID. These people could deny you the right to vote even though you show a valid drivers license due to technicalities. that is my biggest issue with it. It is also a show of big gov't / increased regulations which I had always thought the GOP was against.

Does anyone get it is not the ID per se, but the barriers to get the ID and the confusion in the regulations and the difficulty to get some of the documents, the constant changes in what will and will not be accepted? For heavens sake, the state has been unable to get it together on this. Put in on hold, do it the right way if you are going to do it. If not, you disenfranchise people. In a democratic republic this is never a good thing. Particularly when there is no statistical evidence of voter fraud.

@ Cathy Binder - How about the Democratic party of the 1960s? The ones that fought the Civil Rights Act? Folks like Al Gore Sr. And lest we forget -

“I’ll have those niggers voting Democratic for the next 200 years” Lyndon B. Johnson

So far, his plan is working.

@Kevin R Pound:
I also am a Judge of Election and, like you, am concerned about the unintended consequences this law may have on poll workers. Therefore, I filed this amicus brief last week in the suit challenging the law to bring these issues to the Court's attention:
https://docs.google.com/open?id=0Bz-1YRHzEOsqdFVROExOWHhtMms

Hey Simon Campbell! What is your take on this?

Just when you thought you couldn’t be any more disgusted with the politics between D’s & R’s
You could not imagine a more blatant abuse of authority than what is going on in the swing state of Ohio.
Expanded voting hours in Republican counties restricted hours in Democrat counties. NO Really, read it again. The R’s in charge have voted to allow their registered voters to vote over a multi-day period while the D’s will be restricted in the hours that they can get out to support their candidates. Are you KIDDING me!!! And we Pennsylvanians have a comment thread over 58 deep arguing over whether the Republican law to limit voting by those who are most likely to vote Democrat is really about protection from voter fraud.
http://bit.ly/NdmYyq

On another note Ann Coulter just let the cat out of the bag with regard to the fantasy that Hannity is on a channel that is “Fair and Balanced” when she said “there is no point in your doing your show” if Romney surrogates are going to say things that kill his chance of being elected. Check my Twitter feed later for link to video @roxntreez