NEW CASTLE —
Perhaps Pennsylvania should delay implementation of the state’s new voter identification law.
I’m not saying it should, but as questions and concerns abound, plus the law facing a court challenge, objective observers have to wonder whether the state is rushing things.
Earlier this month, political scientist G. Terry Madonna and political analyst Michael Young, nonpartisan observers of Pennsylvania politics, were highly critical of the law.
They concluded that the law was not “well thought out, planned or executed.”
They suggest suspending implementation until an election or two of trial runs showing how the law works and its effects.
“Rolling it out in the middle of a presidential contest is sheer folly.”
As it stands now, voters will have to provide some form of government photo ID at the Nov. 6 election to be eligible to vote.
A few weeks ago the Pennsylvania Department of State reported that 9 percent of the state’s registered voters do not have ID cards issued by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation. For Lawrence County, the figure is 10.5 percent.
That doesn’t mean they don’t have some form of government ID, but that they don’t have one issued by PennDOT.
This week a University of Washington political scientist testified in Commonwealth Court that about 14 percent of eligible voters lack a valid photo ID. The judge hearing the case challenging the law said he plans to make a decision by mid-August.
For those who don’t have a valid ID, the Corbett administration and legislators who supported the law argue that people can simply go to their nearest PennDOT drivers license center.
However, the law requires residents to provide a birth cirtificate to acquire such an ID. But last week, the state department relaxed the rule somewhat, saying it will create a new card for those who need a photo ID.
These cards — to be ready the last week of August — will be available to those who cannot provide all necessary documents, such as a birth certificate. They will need to provide two proofs of residence plus their date of birth and Social Security number.
For Pennsylvania-born residents, however, PennDOT will continue to use a process of confirming birth records electronically. Apparently, residents born out of state don’t have to go through this process. The obvious question is why Pennsylvania natives and non-natives are treated differently.
With the state changing the rules as time moves on, a case can be made to delay implementation. Plus, there is an argument to be made as to whether thousands of voters will have enough time to acquire valid IDs before the election.
Will the courts consider such questions? Even if they don’t, they will be the ultimate decision-maker on whether Pennsylvania’s voters are ready for this law.
Columns
Related Photos
-
About John Manna: John covers politics for The News. His "Focus" column appears each Saturday.
Discussion
John K. Manna: State should consider delay in Voter ID implementation
- Columns
-
-
Mitchel Olszak: Snooping threat to the free press
In “All the President’s Men,” reporter Bob Woodward conducts late-night meetings with a source in a parking garage. That source, Deep Throat (later revealed to be high-ranking FBI official Mark Felt), was worried that he would be exposed as a tipster in the Watergate scandal.
-
Culinary Conversation: A day in France— or close to it
Here’s some advice: If your spouse packs your lunch, never complain about the contents. I wasn’t actually griping. I just noted that it lacked excitement. The response from spouse was — our kitchen isn’t the Ritz Carlton.
-
John K. Manna: Data shows decline in number of primary voters
Voter participation isn’t what it used to be. That’s nothing new, but there has been a significant drop in voting here in Lawrence County. And it’s happened suddenly, particularly in the so-called “off-year” elections.
-
Dave Ramsey: Avoid college loans if you can
“Dave Says" is a weekly column featuring financial advice from nationally syndicated radio host Dave Ramsey. His column is filled with timely, relevant questions and answers taken from actual letters and calls on Ramsey's radio program, “The Dave Ramsey Show.”
-
John K. Manna: New legislative districts give advantage to local lawmakers
We finally have a map, and area state legislators have to be gushing with joy. The map, which reshapes state House and Senate districts in Pennsylvania, gained the approval of the state Supreme Court this week.
-
Mitchel Olszak: Toomey takes a chance on guns
How does a conservative Republican senator representing a state with a Democratic majority protect himself politically? One way is to take positions that tend to straddle the nation’s ideological fence.
-
John K. Manna: Shortfall in state tax collections means painful decisions lie ahead
I don’t deny that there are really smart people in Harrisburg who deal with the state’s budget and taxes. But I have to wonder what any of them — including the governor — think when it comes to taxes.
-
Culinary Conversation: Weeding out cupcake recipes
They’re everywhere. They’re everywhere.I’m talking about cupcakes — those individual desserts in their frilly little papers. They don’t require a knife or fork and sometimes the frosting is as delectable as the cake itself.
-
Culinary Conversation: Easy selections lighten up your day
A highlight of my working day is receiving a contribution to Culinary Conversation. Anita Guyton, a Volant shop owner, was kind enough to pass along two recipes she obtained from the back of a can of tomatoes — black bean salsa and cheese grits.
-
John K. Manna: Term limits again considered
Some things just never go away. One of them is the idea to impose term limits on members of Congress. Once a big deal in the 1990s, discussion about imposing term limits has died down to a whisper in recent years. But the idea is apparently not dead.
- More Columns Headlines
-
