Corbett signs voter ID into law

After three days of floor debate, the Pennsylvania House has passed a bill requiring voters to show photo ID at the polls. Governor Tom Corbett signed the bill into law Wednesday night.

Opponents call it a “poll tax,” while supporters insist it’s “common sense.”

Counties are being told about the upcoming changes, according to Ron Ruman, a spokesman for the Department of State.

For the April 24 primary election, poll workers are supposed to request, but not require, that voters show photo identification.

“And then we’re asking that the poll worker hand that voter a small sheet of paper which has the basics of the voter ID bill on it — what types of voter ID will be acceptable for the fall election and where they can go to get more information,” Ruman said.

It won’t be until November’s general election that the rules stick.

Voters can show a driver’s license, or a nondriver’s ID from PennDOT. State and federal government-issued IDs are acceptable, as are employee IDs from Pennsylvania county and municipal governments.

Identification from an accredited Pennsylvania college or university, as well as Pennsylvania nursing homes and assisted living facilities also will be accepted.

Voters without any of those identifications can get a free ID from PennDOT before the general election.

A voter without necessary ID on Election Day can cast a special ballot that will be counted if that voter shows acceptable identification to the county election office within six days of the election.