In a less-imperfect world, Tuesday’s primary would be a dry run for the debut of Pennsylvania’s voter-identification requirements, a chance for election officials throughout the state to gauge the law’s impact and make appropriate adjustments before the presidential contest in November. But the voter-ID legislation was passed so close to the primary – Gov. Corbett signed it into law on March 14, and state officials were still tinkering with ID possibilities last week – that Tuesday’s election will be like holding a dress rehearsal while the writer is still working on the script.
The Corbett administration describes the primary as a “soft rollout” for the requirement that every voter must present an approved form of photo ID. All voters Tuesday will be asked for identification, but they will be allowed to vote regardless, as long as they have voted previously in the same precinct or division. (New voters in any precinct always have to bring ID.) Those without acceptable documents will be given a handout describing identification that will be required to vote in November.
Election authorities in Southeastern Pennsylvania are not geared up to take names and addresses of voters who may want help acquiring a photo ID. Throughout most of the region, they won’t even be keeping count.
Full Article: On eve of Pa. primary, voter-ID law still being tweaked.