Senator Regola Introducing Voter ID Bill

Photo requirement targets fraud at election places

            As part of his ongoing reform efforts, Senator Bob Regola (R-39) is introducing legislation that would require voters to show photo identification before they cast their ballots.

            “One of our basic rights as Americans is the right to vote.  Unfortunately, it is also one that is currently open to fraud and abuse,” said Sen. Regola.  “It is relatively easy for someone to walk into a polling place and cast a ballot using someone else’s name and voting information.  My legislation is a very basic protection to uphold the integrity of the election process in Pennsylvania.”

            The federal Help America Vote Act requires a photo ID when a person votes in a municipality for the first time.  Twenty four states have broader voter identification requirements than what HAVA mandates.  In these states, all voters are asked to show identification prior to voting.  Six of these states specify that voters must show a photo ID; the other eighteen states accept additional forms of identification.

            “My proposal would amend the Pennsylvania Election Code by requiring electors to identify themselves each time they vote, with either a currently valid and reliable picture ID, such as a driver’s license, passport, or a combination of two documents, one of which contains a photo, and the other of which has on it the elector’s name and current residential address,” said Sen.  Regola.

“This is not an unreasonable nor onerous requirement since most adults carry one form of photo identification or another.  Most major professional and financial transactions have safeguards such as I am proposing.  I strongly believe that voting and the election process is just as important and just as worthy of requiring similar safeguards,” said Sen. Regola.

Senate Bill 1148 will be referred to the Senate State Government Committee for consideration.

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Contact:  Nate Silcox (717) 787-6063