Pa. civic leaders get update on voter ID requirements

Civic leaders from Southeast Pennsylvania got a crash course Wednesday on how to comply with the state’s new voter ID law.

The controversial measure, passed and signed into law by Gov. Tom Corbett in March, requires the presentation of photo identification at the polls.

Wedensday’s gathering was a meeting the host hoped would be unnecessary.

State Rep. Cherelle Parker, D-Philadelphia, says she wants all Philadelphians to have information on how to vote under the new law — even though it’s a law she doesn’t like and hopes an ongoing lawsuit will overturn.

“That is my hope, that that is what will happen,” she said to applause. “But in the meantime, the in between time, we want to make sure that you have everything that you can.”Representatives from the Department of State, which is responsible for implementing the law, broke down the rules. The Rev. Pearl Johnson, who said she’ll be bringing information back to her congregation, was one of many audience members who voiced disapproval of the many many steps involved in getting different state-issued IDs.”The right for Americans should be that you can go in and vote for the person you want, isn’t it?” Johnson said. “Now why do we have to have all of this complication just for them to go in and do what every American is supposed to be able to.”She says she’ll do everything she can to reach constituents without IDs before the November election.