Requirements to a get a non-drivers photo Id in PA to vote

[JPZenger]

http://www.dmv.state.pa.us/voter/voteridlaw.shtml

A very simple 12 step process that does not in any way make it difficult to vote. Oh, don't forget to pay the money and order your birth certificate with the raised seal months in advance. If your current name does not match the name on your birth certificate because of marriage, don't forget to bring your marriage license. Hopefully, you aren't so old that the records aren't available. If the records are not in English, you may have a problem...

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"If a voter does not POSSESS PROOF OF IDENTIFICATION FOR VOTING PURPOSES as defined at section 102(z.5)(2) of the Pennsylvania Election Code (25 P.S. § 2602(z.5)(2)) and requires proof of identification for voting purposes, the following applies:

You must declare under oath or affirmation by completing the Oath/ Affirmation Voter ID form that you do not possess any of the following forms of identification: In particular,

-Identification issued by the United States Government that includes my name, a photograph, and an expiration date that is not expired.*

- Identification issued by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania that includes my name, a photograph, and an expiration date that is not expired (unless issued by the Department of Transportation, then the expiration of the identification cannot be more than 12 months past the expiration date).

- Identification issued by a municipality of this Commonwealth to an employee of that municipality that includes my name, a photograph, and an expiration date that is not expired.

- Identification issued by an accredited Pennsylvania public or private institution of higher learning that includes my name, a photograph, and an expiration date that is not expired.

- Identification issued by a Pennsylvania care facility that includes my name, a photograph, and an expiration date that is not expired.

*In the case of a document from an agency of the armed forces of the United States or their reserve components, including the Pennsylvania National Guard, that establishes the voter as a current member or a veteran of the United States Armed Forces or National Guard and that does not designate a specific date on which the document expires, the document must include a notation indicating that the expiration is indefinite.

$13.50 fee for acquiring an Identification Card will be waived for individuals completing the Oath/ Affirmation Voter ID form. All identification documentation is still required to obtain an Identification Card as follows:

Step1
To obtain a Pennsylvania Photo Identification card, an individual needs to visit a Pennsylvania Department of Transportation Driver License Center with a completed Application for an Initial Photo Identification Card; form DL-54A, and the following:

Social Security Card
AND
One of the following:


Certificate of U.S. Citizenship
Certificate of Naturalization
Valid U.S. Passport
*Birth Certificate with a raised seal
PLUS

Two proofs of **residency such as lease agreements, current utility bills, mortgage documents, W-2 form, tax records

*If they do not have a birth certificate with a raised seal and are a Pennsylvania native; and do not have one of the acceptable, alternative forms of photo identification to vote; and will provide a signed oath/affirmation form, when visiting the PennDOT driver license center, they must:


Tell the PennDOT customer service representative they are a Pennsylvania native who needs a photo ID for voting purposes, and do not have a certified copy of their birth certificate;
Sign an oath/affirmation that they do not have an acceptable form of ID for voting purposes and the photo ID is needed for voting purposes;
Show a Social Security card and two proofs of residence, such as a deed, lease, tax bill, or utility bill;
Fill out a DL-54A form requesting a non-driver photo ID and;
Complete the HD01564F (Request for Certification of Birth Record for Voter ID Purposes Only) form, which collects information such as birth name, mother and father's name and place of birth. This Department of Health form is available at all Driver Licensing Centers.

PennDOT will then forward the completed form to the Department of Health, which maintains birth records. After verifying the birth record is on file, the Department of Health will securely transmit this information to PennDOT. PennDOT will then notify them by letter that their birth record has been confirmed. They may then return to any driver license center, with the above noted documentation, to receive your free photo ID for voting purposes. This verification process will take about ten days and does not require the payment of a fee.

**Students at least 18 years of age: Accepted proofs of residency include the room assignment paperwork (considered a lease) and one bill with their dorm room address on it. Bank statements, paystubs and credit card bills are all acceptable. Other Individuals who may not have any bills, leases or mortgage documents in their name may bring the person with whom they are living along with their Driver’s License or Photo ID to a driver license center as one proof of residence.

Step 2
When their application and supporting documentation have been reviewed and processed, a Driver License Center staff member will direct the applicant to the Photo Center to have their photo taken for their Photo ID card.

Step 3
Once their photo has been taken, they will be issued a Photo ID card. "

[enough]

1. And if you're 97 years old and no longer driving, like my father-in-law,

you have to have someone else drive you there and back. And be glad you have someone in the family who realized in time that you would need to send away (with money) for a new Birth Certificate.

This is a man with all his marbles, who has voted in every election since he was eligible, and still lives in the same house in PA where he has lived for more than 60 years.

[Swede Atlanta]

2. Typical voter suppression............

Some in this country really do not believe in representative democracy.

[zeemike]

3. the modern day version of the poll tax.

Only a lot more onerous and designed to keep all voters from the polls if they are poor.
Has anyone challenged this in court?

[tech3149]

4. Thanks for that! Now I know I have to drag my 90 y/o mother to verify I live where I LIVE!

They revoked my DL last year for a stupid medical reason and I put off getting the ID. Since I don't use a CC, the utility bills cannot be in my name, my only proof of residence would be a tax return and mabey my bank statement. I think they'll run me through the wringer even if I jump through all their hoops.

[Curmudgeoness]

5. Update us on what you do go through when you do it.

And do it soon, so you are sure to have the ID in time to vote!!! It sounds like it might be a long journey for you.

[tech3149]

9. It was a piece of cake for me

The main reason was the medical revocation of my DL. They already had all the information and the camera over the counter took my picture in the first minute. I went armed with ever document that I could possibly need and my 90y/o mother but I was out the door 10 min after I got to the service counter.

[Curmudgeoness]

6. Well, that doesn't sound so bad.

Just 12 "easy" steps! I think it took less effort to get through college.

[JPZenger]

7. Seniors born in segregated deep south have trouble getting birth certificates

The newest problem is that African-american senior citizens born in the deep South are having trouble getting any birth certificates. Those states didn't worry about record-keeping for poor people back then, particularly if people were not born in a hospital.

Meanwhile, the PA. Attorney General's office is trying to delay the hearings on the case - they are hoping that the courts will not have time to make a decision before the Novemeber election.

Another lawsuit has been filed by a Republican State Rep. claiming that his right to vote will be infringed upon if the voter ID law is not fully enforced. I fail to see the logic.

[JPZenger]

8. State is relaxing rule a little bit

PA. is relaxing their rules a little bit. If you were born in PA, PennDOT says they will look up your birth certificate online at no additional cost -- vs. the previous system where a person had to pay for a paper certificate from the State so they could show it to the State.

[HopeHoops]

10. I refused in the primary (not required, just a test) and hope the ACLU breaks this before Nov.

I've got a PA DL and could use it, but I'll try my voter ID card first. No photo, but I'll get in their faces in the hopes that they are recording the number of people who protest it. My state senator is teetering on the issue, but my rep is useless. I'll continue to bitch at them about it. Perhaps we can get out of the "fucked up state" list.