Pennsylvania's Voter ID Law

Starting with the November 2012 General Election, Pennsylvania now requires voters to show an acceptable photo ID to vote at the polls. The law requires all election workers to ask voters for an acceptable photo ID at the polling place, but voters without an acceptable photo ID will still be allowed to vote, provided the voter otherwise meets the identification requirements for first-time voters.
The Voter ID Law breakdown below covers General citizens, Military Voters, Care Facilities Elderly Disabled, College and University IDs, Employee Local Government IDs and Homeless Voters. Below are Frequently Asked Questions explaining what forms of  ID will be accepted along with ways to obtain a FREE PENNDOT ID for voting. For a complete PDF file of the  Pennsylvania’s Voter ID Law and requirements please visit www.VotesPA.com or call 1-877-VotesPA (1-877-868-3772) Everyone should be aware for the up and coming election season.

The Department of State and PennDOT presented four Webinars You may view the presentation at: 

https://copa.webex.com/copa/ldr.php?AT=pb&SP=MC&rID=6587017&rKey=1cea56b8daaf18e9

What is an acceptable form of ID

All IDs must contain a NAME, a PHOTO, and an EXPIRATION DATE that is CURRENT, unless noted otherwise. Acceptable IDs include:

Photo IDs issued by the U.S. Government or the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, including:

• Pennsylvania driver’s license or PennDOT photo ID card (valid for voting 12 months past expiration date)
• U.S. passportU.S. military ID (active duty and retired military IDs may designate an expiration date that is indefinite). Military dependents’ IDs must contain a current expiration date.

• Employee photo identification issued by Federal, Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania County, or Pennsylvania Municipal government
• Photo identification issued by an accredited Pennsylvania public or private institution of higher learning
• Photo identification issued by a Pennsylvania care facility, including long-term care facilities, assisted living residences and personal care homes

• In the case of a voter who has a RELIGIOUS OBJECTION to being photographed, acceptable IDs include the following
• Pennsylvania valid without-photo driver’s license
• PennDOT valid without-photo identification card

What if a Voter does not have an acceptable form of ID?

• For a registered voter who PREVIOUSLY HAD a Pennsylvania driver's license or a PennDOT photo identification card that has been expired for one year or longer:
• GVisit a PennDOT Driver's License Center with a completed Application for Initial Photo Identification Card (Form DL-54A) - there is no need to bring any supporting documentation since identity and residency were previously validated by PennDOT. The voter should provide his or her current address on the application.
• Obtain and sign an affirmation form, affirming that the voter does not have another acceptable form of ID for voting purposes. The form is available on PennDOT's website or at a PennDOT Driver's License Center.
• a voter who still has his or her expired Pennsylvania driver's license or PennDO photo identification card should bring it along to the Driver's License Center. However, if the voter no longer has it, PennDOT will be able to determine if the voter has an expired product.
• If a voter has a Pennsylvania driver’s license or PennDOT photo identification card that expired PRIOR TO 1990, the voter should call PennDOT’s CUSTOMER CALL CENTER at 1-800-932-4600 to verify whether his or her record is still in PennDOT’s system.
• For a registered voter who has NEVER HAD a Pennsylvania driver’s license or a PennDOT photo identification card:
• Visit a PennDOT Driver's License Center with a completed Application for Initial Photo Identification Card (Form DL-54A) and the following:
• Social Security Card AND one of the following:
• Certificate of U.S. Citienship
• Certificate of Naturaliation
• Valid U.S. Passport
• Birth Certificate with a raised seal
• PLUS
• Two proofs of residency, such as lease agrrements, current utility bills, mortgage documents, W-2 form, tax records
• *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 that person’s driver’s license or photo ID to a Driver’s License Center as one proof of residence plus at least one more piece of official mail with their name and address.
*Homeless individuals can use the address of a shelter as their residence provided they visit a Driver’s License Center with an employee from the shelter that has an employee photo identification issued by the shelter and a letter on the shelter’s letterhead indicating that the homeless individual stays at the shelter.
Obtain and sign an affirmation form, affirming that the voter does not have another acceptable form of ID for voting purposes. The form is available on PennDOT’s website or at a Driver’s License Center.  VISIT PennDOT?s WEBSITE FOR MORE INFORMATION.

How does a voter who has a religious objection to being photographed obtain a Pennsylvania valid without-photo driver’s license or PennDOT valid without-photo identification card?

• A voter who has a religious objection to being photographed should visit a PennDOT Driver’s License Center or call PennDOT’s Customer Call Center at 1-800-932-4600 to request an AFFIDAVIT IN SUPPORT OF EXEMPTION FOR SINCERELY HELD RELIGIOUS BELIEFS
• The voter should complete the Affidavit and mail it to the address included with the instructions. PennDOT will then make contact with the voter.

For more information on Pennsylvania’s Voter ID Law, visit www.VotesPA.com or call 1-877-VotesPA (1-877-868-3772)