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Senate Approves Voter Protection Act
HARRISBURG -- Senator Charles Lemmond
(R-Luzerne) today voted for a comprehensive election reform measure aimed at
protecting the vote of every state resident. Lemmond, chairman of
the Senate State Government Committee, facilitated the passage of House Bill
1318, “The Voter Protection Act,” through the Senate. It now goes to the
governor for his signature.
“This legislation will ensure
that every vote counts, and that the elderly, disabled and military personnel
fighting overseas are not disenfranchised,” Lemmon said. “The Voter Protection
Act will also keep our polling places free of threats and unethical activities
that can cloud an election.”
Lemmond said the bill would
also make Pennsylvania law consistent with federal voter-identification
requirements, guard against fraud and ensure the integrity of the election
process.
Addressing concerns and
lawsuits raised during the 2004 election, the bill also extends the deadline for
county receipt of absentee ballots cast by military personnel serving overseas
and their families. Counties would be required to accept ballots seven days
following the election, if the absentee ballots are postmarked by the day before
the election.
“A large proportion of
overseas voters are our men and women in the Armed Forces who fight courageously
across the globe to protect our country and our Commonwealth,” Lemmond said.
“We must ensure that these brave soldiers can participate in this election -- one
of the most basic rights of citizenship.”
The Voter Protection Act will
also:
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Establish a statement of
voters' rights and require it to be posted at all polling places.
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Require voters to provide
photo or non-photo identification at every election, such as a valid
driver's license; U.S. passport; a student, employee or government ID; or a
county voter registration card.
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Set tighter guidelines on
the location of polling places, prohibiting them from the private homes of
elected or appointed officials and candidates, places where alcohol is
served, or places that are inaccessible to the physically disabled.
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Impose penalties on any
individual who assists someone that he or she knows is not a qualified
absentee elector in filling out an absentee ballot.
Lemmond said the requirement
to provide a valid form of identification will help to prevent fraud and
multiple voting. Any voter unable to produce identification will be allowed to
vote using a provisional ballot, which could be verified later.
The Department of Transportation would be
required to issue a non-driver ID, at no charge, to any registered voter who
states that he or she is unable to obtain another form of photo identification
and is unable to pay the required fee for the identification card.
 
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