Signed by Governor Tom Corbett

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that requires a photo ID for voting in elections held after September 17, 2012.

Highlights:

• Requires “proof of identification” when voting in elections held after Sep 17, 2012 (Secs. 3 & 10).

• Defines “proof of identification” as documents (Sec. 1):
• Showing the name of the voter;
• Showing a photograph of the voter;
• Including an expiration date that is not expired except for documents issued by the Department of Transportation which are not more than 12 months expired or documents issued by an agency of the Armed Forces which have an indefinite expiration date; and
• That were issued by any one of the following:
• The United States;
• The State of Pennsylvania;
• A municipality in Pennsylvania to an employee of that municipality;
• A public or private university in Pennsylvania; or
• A Pennsylvania long-term nursing home or assisted living facility.

• Specifies that if the voter was not issued a current and valid driver's license the last 4 digits of the individual's social security number can serve as proof of identification (Sec. 1).

• Authorizes a voter with a religious objection to being photographed to use a valid-without-photo driver's license or state identification card as proof of identification (Sec. 1).

• Requires the state to provide a photo ID be at no cost if the applicant has no other valid proof of identification and requires such identification to vote (Sec. 2).

• Authorizes a voter to cast a provisional ballot if he or she does not have the necessary proof of identification (Sec. 3).

• Specifies that the provisional ballot will not be counted if the voter who cast a provisional ballot does not appear before the County Board of Elections or send a copy of photo ID with an affirmation to the county board of elections within 6 days after the election (Sec. 3).

• Requires the inclusion of proof of identification for absentee ballots unless the individual is entitled to vote under (Sec 4, 5, 6 & 7):
• The Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act; or
• The Elderly and Handicapped Act.

• Specifies that election officials will ask for proof of identification during elections held between January 1, 2012 to September 17, 2012, but that proof of identification will not be required to vote in those elections (Sec. 10).

• Requires Election Officials to provide written information describing the voter identification requirements created by this bill to voters who do not provide proof of identification when voting in an election held between January 1, 2012 and September 17, 2012 (Sec. 10).

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that requires a photo ID for voting in elections held after September 17, 2012.

Highlights:

• Requires all individuals to provide "proof of identification" prior to voting in any primary or general election, whereas existing law required individuals to provide one of the following (Sec. 3):
• A valid driver's license, state-issued identification card, or identification card issued by the federal government;
• A valid United States passport;
• A valid student identification card;
• A valid employee identification card; or
• A valid armed forces of the United States identification card.

• Defines "proof of identification" as any document that (Sec. 1):
• Displays the name of the individual to whom the document was issued and the name conforms to the name of the individual as it appears in the district register;
• Contains a photograph of the individual to whom the document was issued;
• Includes an expiration date;
• Is not expired or expired after the date of the most recent general election; and
• Is issued by the federal government or the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

• Requires the Department of Transportation to issue an identification card at no cost to a voter who does not possess a valid form of identification (Sec. 2).

• Authorizes an individual who has a religious objection to being photographed to present a Valid-Without-Photo Driver's License or a Valid-Without-Photo Identification Card issued by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (Sec. 1).

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that amends the proof of identification requirements prior to an individual voting in any election.

Highlights:

• Requires all individuals to provide "proof of identification" prior to voting in any primary or general election, whereas existing law required individuals to provide one of the following (Sec. 3):
• A valid driver's license, state-issued identification card, or identification card issued by the federal government;
• A valid United States passport;
• A valid student identification card;
• A valid employee identification card; or
• A valid armed forces of the United States identification card.

• Defines "proof of identification" as any document that (Sec. 1):
• Displays the name of the individual to whom the document was issued and the name conforms to the name of the individual as it appears in the district register;
• Contains a photograph of the individual to whom the document was issued;
• Includes an expiration date;
• Is not expired or expired after the date of the most recent general election; and
• Is issued by the federal government or the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

• Requires the Department of Transportation to issue an identification card at no cost to a voter who does not possess a valid form of identification (Sec. 2).

• Authorizes an individual who has a religious objection to being photographed to present a Valid-Without-Photo Driver's License or a Valid-Without-Photo Identification Card issued by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (Sec. 1).

Full Bill Text