Important article about new voter ID law (Pittsburgh, York: motel, buy)

[Tinare]

Originally Posted by Velvet Jones

Again, I would love to see where this stat comes from. I'm a card carrying member of the ACLU and have been so for a long time, but this is one area I strongly disagree with them on. You can get a state issued ID for free if you meet the requirements, there should be no excuse for not having one. How does someone who participates in today's society NOT have a valid ID. You need an ID for virtually everything. I shutter at the thought of people who are so detached from society that they don't have an ID, yet are eager to go out an cast a vote to decide the future of this state and the nation. If you're too lazy or incompetent to get an ID then you should spare the rest of us from you're likely completely ignorant vote.

My mother currently does not have a valid ID. She's 89, sharp as a tack, but in a wheelchair and rapidly going blind. Leaving the house for necessary reasons (doctor's appointments) is challenging enough for her, so when her state ID expired two years ago she didn't get it renewed. She's not lazy or incompetent, her body is just failing her.

[greg42]

I don't know what people are doing that they need an ID for everything. Apart from renting a car (duh) I can't think of what I've needed my license for in a couple years. Yeah you need it for flying, say, but we're not talking about people that are going to be flying anytime soon.

Basically all this "OMG how do you live without ID?" is just BS. You live quite likely a pretty crappy existence in some cases, or you have scenarios like Tinare's mother. But you do get by. I don't know why those folks should be barred from voting when you have a whole swath of politically ignorant people with IDs who get to vote. Having ID is not some measure of engagement in the process, that's for damn sure.

[Scott2187]

Originally Posted by greg42

I don't know what people are doing that they need an ID for everything. Apart from renting a car (duh) I can't think of what I've needed my license for in a couple years.

Sorry... I guess I shouldn't buy beer or cigars, or go to any bars. I need my ID for that every time. I also do not look young, it's just becoming policy in a lot of places to ID EVERYONE regardless of age. My 54 year old father also got ID'd at a bar in Pittburgh.

However, on topic, it would be nice and probably beneficial to have an advertising campaign for the new law. Like have billboards and commercials and other ads explaining the requirements and how to obtain the free ID the state provides.

[Tinare]

Originally Posted by Scott2187

Like have billboards and commercials and other ads explaining the requirements and how to obtain the free ID the state provides.

Unless things have changed, they're not free.

[Velvet Jones]

Originally Posted by Tinare

Unless things have changed, they're not free.

They are now for people that meet certain requirements. If I'm not mistaken this change was part of the voter ID bill. If not, then it could be considered a poll tax.

[Velvet Jones]

Originally Posted by Tinare

My mother currently does not have a valid ID. She's 89, sharp as a tack, but in a wheelchair and rapidly going blind. Leaving the house for necessary reasons (doctor's appointments) is challenging enough for her, so when her state ID expired two years ago she didn't get it renewed. She's not lazy or incompetent, her body is just failing her.

One example does not make the norm. There are always people on the fringe. The problem is opponents of the bill are suggesting that over 10% of the registered voters are now ineligible because they lack ID. That is what I find extremely hard to believe. Granted, the state has a higher percentage of elderly, but that still doesn't explain the numbers.

[LibraGirl123]

Originally Posted by Tinare

Unless things have changed, they're not free.

Things HAVE changed to accommodate the new Voter ID law:

$13.50 fee for acquiring an Identification Card will be waived for individuals completing the Oath/ Affirmation Voter ID form. All identification documentation is still required to obtain an Identification Card as follows:

PennDOT Driver and Vehicle Services - Personalized (Vanity) License Plate Availability

[Tinare]

Originally Posted by LibraGirl123

Things HAVE changed to accommodate the new Voter ID law:

PennDOT Driver and Vehicle Services - Personalized (Vanity) License Plate Availability

Thank you. I went looking and couldn't find that.

[Tinare]

Originally Posted by Velvet Jones

One example does not make the norm. There are always people on the fringe. The problem is opponents of the bill are suggesting that over 10% of the registered voters are now ineligible because they lack ID. That is what I find extremely hard to believe. Granted, the state has a higher percentage of elderly, but that still doesn't explain the numbers.

She's not alone. I don't know numbers, nor should I, and I can't pretend to have all the answers, I'm just saying that you don't have to be ignorant or detached to not have a valid ID. I just know, from spending about 20 years dealing with the elderly and disabled, that when young and healthy individuals think everything is easy for everyone, that they have no idea what they are talking about.

[h_curtis]

An ID card is $13.50. I remember when it was $5.00. Not as cheap as I thought. I do think people in this day and age need ID's. It isn't that bad in Pittsburgh, but head down south and it gets a lot more challenging. Guess even the poorest of poor have to pony up some money to live in the US and not be 100% on the taxpayer's backs. Then again, I suspect they might be able to get cash by trading on their access cards with others.

Wow, I see the fee can be "waived" thanks to the post above. Guess those of us that pay our own way, will be paying for those ID's.