LEGISLATIVE ALERT!

LEGISLATIVE ALERT! LEGISLATIVE ALERT!

Senate Poised to Vote on H.B. 934 - Voter ID Bill

House Bill 934, the so-called Voter I.D. Bill is poised for a vote by the full Senate this week. This bill would require all voters to show a Pennsylvania or United States government-issued photo ID before they could cast a ballot.

Under the guise of preventing voter fraud, this bill would actually disenfranchise many elderly and minority voters. It would suppress the right to vote for many Pennsylvanians by essentially making it harder to vote for individuals who do not have a photo ID.

Many individuals do not have a photo ID because of the cost. Some elderly have stated that they do not have the proper documentation needed to obtain a photo ID.

This bill would cost the state millions of dollars and place a significant burden on Pennsylvania counties who manage local elections. If enacted, this bill will cost approximately $4.3 million in its first year for Voter ID cards, lost revenue to PennDOT, voter education, voter notification, equipment and staff.

About 4 percent of the 8.1 million registered voters in Pennsylvania do not have a photo ID.

With very little evidence of voter fraud, this bill is completely unnecessary. I urge you to contact your local legislator and the governor and voice your concerns related to this misguided legislation.

You can find out more specifics about the 2012-13 State Budget and provide your feedback on my website at senatorhughes.com as well as on Facebook and Twitter (@SenatorHughes).