Pennsylvania’s Voter ID Law

Purpose Today we are going to discuss the status of implementation of Act 2012-18 (Voter ID Law) in light of Tuesday’s Commonwealth Court order, which enjoins enforcement of certain portions of the Voter ID Law. We are also going to explain the process of how to obtain an ID for voting purposes. We will explain the new Department of State ID and how to obtain a secure Pennsylvania Photo ID, which can also be used for voting purposes.

Status of Voter ID Law The Commonwealth Court issued a preliminary injunction on October 2, 2012. In a nutshell, the injunction: Provides for another “soft rollout” for the November election.  All voters will be asked to show proof of identification, but they will not be required to do so, nor will they be required to vote by provisional ballot in the event that they do not show proof of identification. The “first-time voter” requirements that were in place prior to September 17, 2012 will apply in the November 6 General Election. Note: Status of Voter ID Law continued on next slide. 

Status of Voter ID Law Does not impact enforcement of the proof of identification requirements for absentee voters. Specifically allows for the educational efforts outlined in Section 10(2) of the Voter ID Law, which provide that a written notice be given to voters that do not provide proof of identification at the polls. Does not absolve the Secretary of the Commonwealth of her duties to conduct additional educational efforts. Does not absolve the Department of Transportation of its responsibility to issue identification cards at no charge to registered voters who request them.

Obtaining a Pennsylvania Photo ID If you are registered to vote, but you don’t have an acceptable form of ID, you may obtain a FREE Pennsylvania Photo ID for voting purposes at a PennDOT Driver License Center. To obtain a FREE Pennsylvania Photo ID, you will have to sign an oath/affirmation form, affirming that you are a registered voter and you don’t have an acceptable form of ID for voting purposes.

The Customer has Options Customers have two options if they need an ID for voting DOS ID PennDOT ID

Department of State (DOS) ID The new Department of State ID (DOS ID) is good for voting purposes only. The DOS ID product; it’s a FREE product. DOS IDs began being issued 8/27/12. The DOS ID is valid for 10 years.

Department of State (DOS) ID Process for obtaining a Free DOS Photo ID for voting When a customer indicates to PennDOT Customer Service Representative that the customer needs an ID for voting purposes, they will begin the process of determining if the customer could be issued a free DOS Photo ID for voting purposes only. The customer will be required to complete a Request for Initial Issuance of Pennsylvania Department of State ID for Voting Purposes and sign the Oath/Affirmation. Note: Process continues on the next slide.

Department of State (DOS) ID Information requested will include: Name Address Date of Birth Social Security Number (If the customer has been issued an SSN) County Previous name and/or address if changed within the past 12 months While the customer waits, staff at the Driver License Center will contact the Department of State to validate that the customer is registered to vote and verify the last four digits of SSN. Once verified, the voter will receive the free DOS Photo ID card.

Department of State (DOS) ID If the Department of State is unable to verify the customer is registered, the customer will be offered a voter registration application, the customer will be photographed and the customer’s DOS ID card and completed voter registration application will be forwarded to the Department of State. The Department of State will transmit the completed registration form to the County registration office. The Department of State will store the customer‘s ID card securely until such time as the customer becomes registered.

PennDOT ID Can be used for virtually all identification needs Can be issued for free if able to sign Oath Affirmation Valid for 4 years (+ 1 year for voting purposes)

Obtaining a Secure Pennsylvania Photo ID Registered voters who PREVIOUSLY HAD a Pennsylvania driver’s license or photo ID that has been expired for one year or longer will follow the below process: Call PennDOT’s Customer Call Center at 1-800-932-4600 to verify whether your record is still in PennDOT’s system. If your record is still in PennDOT’s system, you should visit a PennDOT Driver License Center with a completed (or to complete) an 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. You should provide your current address on the application. Sign an Oath/Affirmation Form, affirming that you are a registered voter and don’t have an acceptable form of ID for voting purposes. The form is available on PennDOT’s website or at a PennDOT Driver License Center. If you still have your expired Pennsylvania driver’s license or photo ID card, please bring it along to the Driver License Center, but it is not required. Finally, you will be directed to have your photo taken and have a product issued.

Obtaining a Secure Pennsylvania Photo ID Registered voters who NEVER HAD a Pennsylvania driver’s license or photo ID, must follow the below process: Visit a PennDOT Driver License Center with the following: Social Security Card AND one of the following: Birth Certificate with a raised seal (OR a birth certification letter – see slides 8-11); Certificate of U.S. Citizenship; or Certificate of Naturalization PLUS Two proofs of *residency, such as lease agreements, current utility bills, mortgage documents, W-2 form, tax records; or *Alternative proofs of residency (see next Slide) You will also need to complete an Application for Initial Photo Identification Card (Form DL-54A) Sign an Oath/Affirmation Form, affirming that you are a registered voter and don’t have an acceptable form of ID for voting purposes. Finally, you will be directed to have your photo taken and you will receive a temporary product, which is valid for voting purposes. You will receive your permanent product in the mail from PennDOT within 5 to 10 days.

Obtaining a Secure Pennsylvania Photo ID Alternative Proofs of Residency 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 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 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.

Acceptable IDs for Voting Purposes In the case of a voter who has a religious objection to being photographed, acceptable IDs for voting purposes include the following: Pennsylvania valid without-photo driver’s license Pennsylvania valid without-photo identification card If you have a religious objection to being photographed and you needed to obtain a Pennsylvania valid without-photo driver’s license or valid without-photo identification card? You should visit a PennDOT Driver 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. You should complete the Affidavit and mail it to the address included with the instructions. Upon receipt of the Affidavit, PennDOT will then contact you.

Alternative for PA Natives without a Birth Certificate who need ID for Voting

Born in PA, But No Birth Certificate? I am a voter born in Pennsylvania and I do not have a certified copy of my birth certificate? If you are a Pennsylvania-born registered voter, you don’t already have a certified copy of your birth certificate and you need a photo ID for voting purposes, PennDOT will try to certify your birth record on the Department of Health's system. This birth record certification process will be completed while you are waiting at the Driver License Center and is FREE OF CHARGE. This process is explained on the next two slides.

Born in PA, But No Birth Certificate? When visiting a PennDOT Driver License Center, you must: Tell the PennDOT customer service representative you were born in Pennsylvania, you need a photo ID for voting purposes and don’t have a birth certificate with a raised seal. Sign an Oath/Affirmation Form, affirming that you are a registered voter and don’t have an acceptable form of ID for voting purposes. Show a Social Security card and two proofs of residency, such as lease agreements, current utility bills, mortgage documents, W-2 form, and tax records. Complete the Application for Initial Photo Identification Card (Form DL-54A). Note: Process continues on the next slide.

Born in PA, But No Birth Certificate? Note: Process continued from the previous slide. Complete the HD01564F (Request for Certification of Birth Record for Voter ID Purposes Only) form, which collects information such as birth name, mother and father’s names, and place of birth. Note: These forms are only available at PennDOT Driver License Centers. If PennDOT can certify your birth record with the Department of Health, PennDOT will begin the process of issuing your secure PennDOT Photo ID If the Department of Health CANNOT certify your birth record, you will receive a letter from Driver License Examiner asking you to contact the Bureau of Vital Records at the Department of Health or you can apply for the Department of State ID for voting purposes only.

Additional Resources Should you have any questions regarding a PennDOT product or need the hours of operation to one of our Driver License Centers, you should contact PennDOT’s Customer Call Center at 1-800-932-4600 or visit www.dmv.state.pa.us If you have any questions regarding the new Voter ID Law or the new DOS ID, you should contact 1-877-VotesPA or visit www.VotesPA.com