New voter IDs available at PennDOT centers

A new photo identification card strictly for voting purposes in Pennsylvania is now available.

It was created in response to the state’s voter ID law, which requires voters to show an acceptable form of photo identification before casting their ballots.

 

The new ID can be obtained without producing a birth certificate or a Social Security card — both of which are required for a PennDOT driver’s or non-driver’s license, says Department of State spokesman Ron Ruman.

The license is the most common form of photo ID acceptable at the polls, and Ruman says the special voting ID card was developed to accommodate those who lacked key documents.

“Typically what you need for a PennDOT ID is your birth certificate, a Social Security card and two proofs of residence. So this would help folks that can’t help folks get all that documentation, Ruman said Monday.

The voting ID card is available only at PennDOT licensing centers; all but nine counties in Pennsylvania have such centers.

Those who wish to obtain the ID must be registered voters and produce their Social Security number, as well as two proofs of residence.

The deadline to register to vote before the election is Oct. 9, though voters can get a voting ID card as late as the day of the November General Election and still use it to vote.