It’s possible in these days of instant connectivity to monitor nearly every financial, physical and social transaction using the Internet — from banking to travel, and from dieting to dinner reservations. So should you also be able to declare yourself a legal voter in the state of Pennsylvania online as well? State Sen. Lloyd Smucker, R-Lancaster, sponsor of a bill to create online voter registration in Pennsylvania, thinks so. “The idea is to give additional options and provide greater convenience, and hopefully increase participation in voting,” Smucker said. Residents would be able to register online up to 30 days before an election. They also would be able to change their party affiliation, address or name on the online form. A similar bill passed last session in the Senate, but the House did not follow up.
Last year, the debate was all about voter ID laws that wound up in state court. Opponents of the voter ID law allege that it disenfranchises voters who may not have access to a photo ID, while proponents claimed the measure prevents fraud at the polls.
Registering to vote, though, requires no such identification. Residents already can register by mail.
Smucker acknowledged that an online system does open the possibility for fraud. But to safeguard against false registrations, those who register online would be required to enter part of their Social Security number and another identification number, like a driver’s license.
Full Article: State considers online registration | PoconoRecord.com.