Several people gathered Wednesday for a rally against proposed legislation that would require Pennsylvania voters to show a valid photo identification when they go to the polls. Wendy Bookler was among those at the rally and delivered a message for her mother, who has voted in every election since the 1940’s and feels her right is being threatened.
“She does not have a photo ID,” Bookler said. “She gave up her drivers license, fortunately, for all of us a number of years ago. She doesn’t have a passport anymore.”
Rep. Daryl Metcalfe (R-Butler) introduced the bill to stop voter fraud such as impersonation at the polls, double-voting and voting by illegal aliens. Current law requires photo ID only when someone votes in an election district for the first time. “Just like when you sign up for a library card, drive a vehicle on the road or hunt down a white-tailed deer, you have to have an ID that shows you are who you say you are,” Metcalfe said.
Opponents say there is no evidence of significant voter fraud. They claim the photo ID requirement would lower turnout rates among low-income residents, the elderly and minorities.
“We should be encouraging people to vote, not discouraging people to vote. It’s un-American,” said Tim Stevens, Chairman of The Black Political Empowerment Project, who sees the Republican-pushed bill as an attempt to disenfranchise mostly Democratic voters.
Karen Buck, Executive Director of the SeniorLAW Center, said 18 percent of seniors don’t have proper photo ID and won’t be able to vote.
Full Article: Groups rally against voter ID bill – WHTM abc27.