The recently enacted Pennsylvania voter ID law has been an important issue this election season. The law requires that all eligible voters show photo identification issued by a government agency or a specifically enumerated list of other institutions, such as colleges and nursing homes. (There is an exception to the photo requirement for individuals who have a religious objection to being photographed. These individuals may obtain a government-issued, nonphoto ID card instead.) The law, enacted March 14, designated the primary election in May as a test run in which voters would be asked to present photo identification but not be turned away for lack of such.
Although the law has been enjoined from taking effect for November’s election, this editorial board is against the law for three reasons. First, this law is an infringement on the fundamental right to vote because it is putting additional unnecessary barriers before an individual can exercise his or her right to vote. Second, the timing of the law is likely to cause voter disenfranchisement. And, third, this law is likely to disenfranchise traditionally marginalized members in our society.
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