The Pennsylvania Senate, yesterday, March 7, passed HB 934 that would require voters to present identification at polling places and in applications for absentee ballots. The vote was 26-23 with all Democrats opposed along with Republicans Stewart Greenleaf of the 12th District, and Mary Jo White of the 21st District, Jane Earll of the 49th District.
Not voting was Republican Jane Orie of the 40th District.
The bill which was introduced March 4, 2011 by Rep. Daryl Metcalfe (R-12) passed the state House June 23, 108-88 and had been languishing in the Senate to the dismay of Tea Party and other citizen groups.
In fact, it didn’t reach the Appropriations Committee until Dec. 14 where it stayed until Monday when it was sent to the floor with expediency.
Could the action be coincidental with the fuss Rogers Howard, who is challenging Senate Majority Leader Dominic Pileggi in the 9th District Primary, has raised about it?
One could think what one wants one supposes.
The bill allows for acceptance of non-photo ID such as utility bills, the casting of provisional ballots for those not having identification and allows names to merely “substantially conform” to those on the district register rather than be an exact matches which is a good thing.
The bill now returns to the House for reconciliation.
