Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that requires identification for voters each time they cast a ballot through a proposed constitutional amendment.

Highlights:

• Establishes the following qualifications of electors, noting that every citizen 18 years of age is entitled to vote at all elections subject, however, to such laws requiring and regulating the registration of electors as the General Assembly may enact (Sec. 1):

• He or she has been a citizen of the United States for at least one month;

• He or she has resided in the State 90 days immediately preceding the election; and

• He or she has resided in the election district where he or she is offered to vote for at least 60 days immediately preceding the election, except that if qualified to vote in an election district prior to removal of residence, he or she may, if a resident of Pennsylvania, vote in the election district from which he or she removed his or her residence within 60 days preceding the election.

• Defines “valid identification” as any valid government-issued identification, unless otherwise provided for by law (Sec. 1). 

• Establishes that a qualified elector is to provide a valid identification at each election in accordance with the following (Sec. 1):

• When voting in person, the qualified elector is to present a valid identification before receiving a ballot to vote in person; or

• When not voting in person, the qualified elector is to provide proof of a valid identification with his or her ballot.

• Requires that upon the first and second passage by the General Assembly of this proposed constitutional amendment, the Secretary of the Commonwealth shall proceed immediately to comply with the advertising requirements of section 1 of Article XI of the Constitution of Pennsylvania and transmit the required advertisements to 2 newspapers in every county in which such newspapers are published in sufficient time after passage of this proposed constitutional amendment (Sec. 2).

• Requires that upon the second passage by the General Assembly of this proposed constitutional amendment, the Secretary of the Commonwealth submits this proposed constitutional amendment to the qualified electors of this Commonwealth at the first primary, general or municipal election which meets the requirements of and is in conformance with section 1 of Article XI of the Constitution of Pennsylvania and which occurs at least 3 months after the proposed constitutional amendment is passed by the General Assembly (Sec. 2).

Full Bill Text