Delay PA Voter ID Law

I don't think the vast number of voters know just how disruptive and dangerous the new Voter ID Law will be if it goes into effect this November.

Allow me to share my own eye-opening experience. I have been voting for over 40 years, 20 at my current polling place. But, I decided to check my driver's license against my voter registration after reading some of the stories about folks who may not be able to vote this fall. Turns out, my driver's license identifies me as "Janet A. Gray" and my voter registration identifies me as "Janet G. Gray." A call to the Allegheny County Election Bureau confirmed that because of the discrepancy with my middle initial, I would not be able to vote. Now I must fill out a special form to ensure there will be no problem.

So even though I have been voting at the same place for 20 years and am personally recognizable to the polling officials there, I would be prevented from voting in November because of my middle initial.

There is no doubt that many voters will be unable to vote in November due to this harsh new law. The state of Pennsylvania first has an obligation to ensure that all citizens who are eligible to vote are able to do so, as is their right, before the law is implemented. That will obviously not be the case in November.

Our governor and legislature must halt implementation for a year so all citizens can get the proper ID, and provide free voter ID cards through the election bureaus, local government entities, and by any other means necessary.

Since sending my story to friends, I have already heard from a handful who may have the same problem. We are talking about taking the right to vote away from folks who have been voting for 20 years or more. Implementation of this law must be delayed.