Popular in other GOP states, bill to require photo IDs for voters awaits action in Pa.

http://www.greenfieldreporter.com/view/story/4f4b866cd9d44b19bb24de4532354777/PA--Viewing-Harrisburg/


-the legislation would reduce voter fraud by requiring nothing more than a form of identification that is already routinely required for activities that include operating a motor vehicle, boarding a commercial airplane or cashing a check. The bill "is essential to preserving the sacred freedom of voting from the ever-present forces of corruption seeking to override the will of the people," Metcalfe said.

The American Civil Liberties Union, Common Cause and the League of Women Voters all oppose the measure.

Democrats, outnumbered in both houses, argue that many senior citizens lack government-issued identification and that the additional red tape could discourage them from exercising their right to vote. They also say the free photo ID cards guaranteed by the bill would cost taxpayers millions of dollars and are challenging Republicans to show clear evidence that fraud is occurring on a broad scale.

"If we're going to (deprive) voters of their constitutional right and spend nearly $10 million to do it, we must be certain there is a problem and that this legislation would fix it," said Rep. Babette Josephs of Philadelphia, the ranking Democrat on the State Government Committee.

Republican legislative leaders remain circumspect about the bill's chances of passage.

Senate Majority Leader Dominic Pileggi said election-related bills, including the photo ID proposal, will take a back seat to more pressing issues such as a multibillion-dollar shortfall in the state budget for the year that starts July 1, major education bills and tort reform.

"I suspect they will more likely than not be issues we take up in the fall," the Delaware County Republican said.

"It's one of those (bills) that, I think, you do want to talk to the members about" in a GOP caucus meeting, said Steve Miskin, spokesman for the House GOP majority.

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Peter Jackson is the Capitol correspondent for The Associated Press in Harrisburg. He can be reached at pjackson(at)ap.org.

(not the "Lord of the Rings Peter Jackson")