More PA Democrats may get around GOP by using voter-ID loophole

[TroyD]

Other counties may join in using Pennsylvania voter-ID law loophole

Sat, Sep. 22, 2012

A voter-ID mutiny launched by Democratic-controlled Montgomery and Allegheny Counties showed signs of spreading across the state Friday, as Philadelphia and a handful of other local governments said they, too, would consider issuing poll-ready identification cards through county-run nursing homes and colleges.

Despite the bitter partisan debate surrounding the controversial Pennsylvania law, state Republicans voiced little opposition Friday to the counties' new plans.

"I don't think anyone contemplated the possibility of a county nursing home becoming an issuer of an identification document that could be used to satisfy the voter-ID requirement," said Senate Majority Leader Dominic Pileggi (R., Delaware), a key force in enacting the law last March. But he added, "I am not against the principle of other entities having the ability to issue cards, as long as we have uniform standards and safeguards in place."

On Thursday, Allegheny and Montgomery Counties said they would begin issuing their own ID cards through county-run facilities.

The move exploits a loophole in the new law that allows both colleges and senior-care centers to provide such cards to anyone who lives in the county - not just to the people who attend those colleges or reside in those centers.

More:

http://www.philly.com/philly/news/170788146.html

[TexasProgresive]

1. K&R-Come on people-Rec is good but Kick is better

This is good news indeed.

[life long demo]

2. Sounds like good move, but still

pissed off that they have to do it to make sure people can vote. A PA Democratic voter.

[mwooldri]

3. Of course this "loophole" can be expanded.

Don't those counties have some kind of community college? Can't a 1 day course be set up in Civics 101 that anyone in PA can register for, but require enrollment? Also in the spirit of things keep it free, but invite donations?

Of course this loophole should not be needed in the first place but it's just my ramblings and ideas... probably doesn't amount to much but still... just my 2 cents worth.

[1monster]

15. That IS the loophole in the law -- they can provide ID to ANYONE who lives in the county!

The move exploits a loophole in the new law that allows both colleges and senior-care centers to provide such cards to anyone who lives in the county - not just to the people who attend those colleges or reside in those centers.

[mwooldri]

29. I was thinking of out-of-county people...

If a neighbouring county isn't planning to exploit the loophole, there's nothing to stop a particular community college signing up students to attend a one-day free course and issuing the student id as a person who attends that college (albeit for just one single course).

[MgtPA]

24. The community colleges are run by the county, so that's where the county-issued voter IDs

would be distributed.

I don't know much about Allegheny County (read: Pittsburgh), but Montgomery County Community College's main campus is in Blue Bell; hopefully, voter IDs would be available at the satellite campuses as well.

[yellerpup]

4. Heartening news!

K&R!

[chuckstevens]

5. Electronic Voting Machines

This is great news, but I still worry about stealing the election via the electronic voting machines in all of these swing states. The GOP is desperate because Karl Rove's dream of a 40 years of a permanent Republican majority grows fainter by the day. Demographically and on socially issues, the Republicans days are numbered.

The wider the polls get, the less plausible it would be to steal. Still on election night when FAUX NEWS decides to call it for Romney, the other networks better not fold like a house of cards. Remember 2000? I never want to live that again.

[valerief]

9. Whatever the vote-flipping can't win for Mittfalca, SCOTUS will. The Supreme Mob. nt

[The Wizard]

10. Democrats need a 5 point

lead in the polls on election day to avoid the plausible deniability of a rigged election. It happened to Max Cleland in Georgia. Karl Rove knows how to game the system and rig elections and is the world's greatest threat to democracy.

[Chipper Chat]

11. And dont forget Ohio 2004.

The polls on election day showed 52-48 for Kerry and as we all know Rove/Blackwell flipped it and Bush won 52-48.

[Courtesy Flush]

6. Shared this on reddit. nt

[proReality]

7. K&R n/t

[southernyankeebelle]

8. Take that you republicans that call voters lazy. Where there is a will, there is a way. Go Dems.

[beac]

12. K&R for clever PA Dems!! n/t

[Coyotl]

13. Having this issue in the news everyday will backlash bigtime

The Rs have made themselves the Pariah of American Democracy, and an entire generation will know them as such!

[SouthLouisianaWoman]

14. K&R n/t

[SoapBox]

16. Kick & Rec

[muriel_volestrangler]

17. Good, but it's so sad to see a democracy having to descend to this

Confirming someone's right to vote should be quick, straightforward and free. Then again, when the shenanigans in Florida in 2000 started, I was saying "just count all the fucking votes again, for crying out loud! What other course can a democracy take?" I was unused to naked political attempts to derail the voting process for partisan gain.

[nenagh]

18. Good news, thanks..

And here's a quiet thanks to all the Dems who fight against the tyrannical heart of many in the current Republican Party.

[secondwind]

19. KICK!!!

[1monster]

20. Just Facebooked this for all my PA relatives...

[robinlynne]

21. funny how being able to get a satte issued ID is considered a loophole.

[Wounded Bear]

22. K & R

Go PA!!!!!!!

Way to fight for democracy!!!

[hwmnbn]

23. K&R

[livetohike]

25. K&R

[AnotherMother4Peace]

26. K&R

[ProfessionalLeftist]

27. Kick (&R)

[yortsed snacilbuper]

28. Allegheny Co(.W.Pa.) Executive Outlines Plan To Allow Registered Voters To Obtain ID!

Here’s the way it works:

•Citizens must be registered to vote.
•Then, give a birth date so they can be matched to voter rolls.
•Then, they must provide one of these forms of identification: non-photo Pennsylvania-issued ID, a non-photo United States ID, a firearm permit, a current utility bill, a current bank statement, a paycheck or a government-issued check.

Fitzgerald adds that he is also working to create a mobile identification process so that officials from Kane and CCAC can go out into the neighborhoods and communities to issue voter IDs in a way that makes everyone able to vote in November.

There’s been no reaction yet from the state.

Read more link

[tavalon]

30. Kick for stopping voter suppression!