Voter ID Bill

For the past few months, there has been much debate over the controversial “Voter ID Bill” that passed the PA House Legislature in June.  Much of this debate has been due to some stringent measures laid out in the bill.  According to the original bill, every individual intending to vote in a primary or general election must present a valid photo ID, or a valid non-photo ID in the case of an elector who has a religious opposition to being photographed.  The reasoning for this bill is to eliminate voter fraud, but at the expense of disenfranchising part of the population.  Many people with low economic standards don’t have access to valid photo ID, and many elderly people do not possess a valid photo ID.  In addition, this is extremely prevalent to college students, because college IDs would not be accepted, according to the original text of the bill.  After passing the house, the bill has been sent to the “State Government” committee in the Senate.  As of now, it appears that the bill is being amended to accept other forms of ID, such as college student IDs.

Original Text of the Bill -
http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billinfo/billinfo.cfm?syear=2011&sind=0&body=H&type=B&bn=934

Article from June Post Gazette –
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/11175/1155889-454.stm

Article from Philadelphia Inquirer –
http://www.philly.com/philly/news/politics/132314833.html