Governor Corbett Signs Controversial Voter ID Bill Into Law

March 15, 2012 6:53 AM

(Governor Corbett center; left is Rep. Daryl Metcalfe, sponsor of the bill; right is Carole Aichele, PA Secretary of State) (credit: KYW’s Tony Romeo)

Reporting Tony Romeo

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By Tony Romeo

HARRISBURG, Pa (CBS) — Just hours after the state House sent it to him, Governor Tom Corbett on Wednesday evening put his signature on the controversial bill that will require voters to show photo ID when they go to the polls in November (see related story).

Moments after signing the bill, Corbett said photo IDs will not be required for next month’s election, saying the primary will essentially be a dry run for the November election.

“The IDs will be asked for in the primary, but not mandatory,” said Corbett. “Those who forget an ID will be reminded to bring one to the general election. In the primary at the local polling locations, voters will be provided a handout explaining what forms of ID are acceptable.”

The governor says PennDOT will immediately begin issuing photo IDs to people who need one to vote. While the IDs will be free of charge, opponents of the new law say those who need them may incur other costs and inconvenience, such as acquiring necessary documentation like a birth certificate.

Democrats promise to challenge the law in court.

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Governor Corbett Signs Controversial Voter ID Bill Into Law

whatsup

we need picture ID’s to vote to clean up all those ACORN “voters”. Churches are organizing voter registrations on Sundays after Mass, they can get themselves registered and have their photo ID’s taken care of at the same time. It is no problem unless you have something to hide then you start with the excuses, excuses.
Another Jean

Many of the people commenting here hace no clue how different liife becomes when you are elderly. You take a huge amount for granted.
Kylee

I don’t think this is a bad idea. You have to show your ID when you check out a library card, when you take national tests, when you purchase certain goods at the store, and when you get into sporting events.
stormerF69

WHat is the whinning about? You can not check out a library book with out Id,you can not get government assistance with out ID,Cash a Check,drive a car buy ciggarettes,liquor or most cold medicines.. Why is is so impossible for the Dimocrats to understand,no one goes anywhere with out ID unless they are Illegals or Criminally Insane,in either case they can not legally vote.
JOE

Right On!! Pa. Now if only get the rest of the country will follow.
Mike Texoma

This is a temporary “fix” for Republicans, at best. Minority populations are growing too fast, When they pass 30% they will repeal laws that are intended to disenfranchise minority voters. The handwriting is on the wall. And they will remember who their enemy was.

stormerF69

Legal immigrants have ID’s,Wherethe they are minority or not.
kennym65

so 30% will over ride the will of 70%?? Why all the whineing? it’s just a photo ID to prove you are alllowed to vote in this country, if you dont like it, go to Russia, China, North korea and vote

Vicky

If you register to vote you have already proven that you are a citizen and have the right to vote no more is required. They just match the signiture on the card when you sign in at the voting center the same as they have done for years. If illegal immigrants can get ID in your state then having a ID is not proof of eligibility to vote where a voter registration card is. Any law passed that would hinder an eligible person from voting is unconstitutional and will get thrown out as it already has in one state who tried this.

M.J. Kuenzig

In Pennsylvania when you enter a voting poll you must give your name, a card is then pulled from the voter registration cards, you must sign card that shows your name and address. We do not have same day registration and voting. My mother is 91 years old, she has voted in every primary and general election. She does not own a driver’s license, since she has never driven, nor a credit card. We no longer in Pittsburgh have a state office bldg where she can obtain a birth certificate; and even if we did, since she was born in 1920 she must send for an application and then mail to New Castle to receive a birth certificate. Then she must go to a driver’s license office and obtain a non driver’s card. Who are these legislators trying to fool, Corbett and the republicans should all be impeached.

stormerF69

If she draws Social Security she Has ID,stop lying.

Vicky

She probably does have an old ID without picture as she is 90 plus and if she lives in a small town or has banked at the same bank for 50 plus years she doesn’t need ID.

dontbow

Not controversial to do the right thing whcih should be done everywhere in this country to keep the elections fair. If people cant get the proper ID then don’t vote! simple.

Another Jean

How about the old folks who don’t have the mobility you have to get ID?

JOSE0311USMC

YES..SENIORS WHO DO NOT HAVE A WAY TO VOTE ?? THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO WILL PICK THEM UP –TAKE THEM TO VOTE–AND BRING THEM BACK TO THEIR HOMES…NO EXCUSES…EVERYONE WHO DRIVE HAVE A DRIVERS LICENSE ? I’M A DEMOCRAT AND I’M TIRED OF THE EXCUSES BY DEMOCRATS….
stormerF69

Jean if they are to immobile to get ID they are too immobile to vote .
kennym65

by the time they are that old, they already have IDs,

OnlyCitizensCanVote

Another Jean that is a LAME excuse. My dad was on his death bed in the nursing home and voted cant get any less mobile than than
Vicky

States have had a system to identify and register voters since this country began and long before photo IDs and it has worked just fine. Unless the state wants to have a moblile unit to go to every outlying town in the State to provide people access to the photo IDs it is not fair. People who live in rural areas and do not drive are not going to be able to get the IDs, and therefore be prevented from voting which makes this unconstitutional and it has already been thrown out in one state.

lauranicholas

Kudos to Corbett. Let’s end voter fraud.

Vicky

There has never been confirmed cases of voter fraud. Have you ever heard of a case where it has been tried in court, no because it is a myth.
Hawk in Texas

The only voter fraud that i have seen is all done by republicans. remember florida? ohio? the voter id is a consertive scam. the justice department has thrown it out here in texas.

Ustaxpayer

Don’t worry Holder will declare it unconstitutional
http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2012/03/15/philadelphia-da-calls-new-voter-id-law-solution-in-search-of-a-problem/ Philadelphia DA Calls New Voter ID Law ”Solution In Search of a Problem” « CBS Philly

[...] (CBS) — Even as a new voter photo ID law has been signed into law by Governor Tom Corbett (see related story), Philadelphia’s DA says he doesn’t see the need for the [...]
Darryn James

WOOT! lets get back to sanity, ID everyone, its fair and its the law.
Cleanup Philly

The two gals just arrested who are not US citizens got into UPenn, Bryn Mawr. How much do you want to be these young activists are registered voters in Philly?

There was just no way to catch this until now. They probably voted for Obama in high style, and made a little video of what a great “citizens” they are. Not legal ones, but still, they have their “rights” they are telling us.

Thanks Corbett and the GOP — this was a much needed reality check on the rules.
Pharme413

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Hater

Go fdadedc yourself!

Thomas

Photo ID’s are not enough. If a teenager can get a fake ID to buy alcohol, a non-citizen or an extremist could buy 10 fake ID’s each with a different name and vote 10 times at different polling stations.

We should also use election ink (dyeing the fingers) like they do in other countries to prevent fraud.

Hater

Thomas, dyeing the fingers might be the best and cheapest solution yet. Also, you can “out” your friends and neighbors and get them to vote. I like it!
JOSE0311USMC

FINGER PRINTING ON THE PHOTO I.D. A GREAT IDEA.
stormerF69

Thomas you must stop with the koolaid and vote once then tell us how you got registered to vote in different locations .

Brandon

Then don’t vote if you don’t like it. You have to show photo ID for everything else in this country. It should of been this way before now.

Vicky

considering this country has been in existance for over 200 years and people voted without photo ID the states obviously have a way to determine who has a right to vote. If a state requires something that would prevent some eligible voters from voting then it is unconstitutional and this will prevent eligible voters who do not have a photo ID from voting so it is not legal. It has been thrown out in another state and will in this one as well.

Mother Nature

Illegal as hell.

Hinterland

Ok, I’ll say I’m you next time I vote. No ID, no proof, I’m not you
It’s About Time

Mother Nature..what’s illegal is registered voters who are not citizens. You don’t like it…don’t vote! And get out of the country!

grumpy

Registered voters that are not citizens? Where? As Thomas said, fake I.D’s are easier to make than registering to vote the old fashion way……. The way that this great Democracy has survived over the last 200+ years.
JOSE0311USMC

YOU TELLING THEM….PHOTO FINGER PRINT I.D. THE WAY TO GO…I KNOW FOR A FACT THAT ILLEGALS DO VOTE WITH FAKE I.D.’S….WHY DEMOCRATS DO NOT WANT PHOTO I.D….THEY USE THE EXCUSE THAT IT WILL HURT THE POOR, MY _________

Vicky

she is already a registered voter and all they have to do is check her signiture against the one on the voter registration card. States have used this method and others since it was founded and long before there was photo ID. It is suspect when it is Republican legislatures pushing this.
Kylee

Also, it will help rid the problem of the same person voting twice. As a future voter, I have no problem with showing my ID. I have the right to vote, and if showing my ID is going to grant me that right, then I will comply.