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Schmotzer's Office to Assist with Obtaining Voter IDs

'There are no cases of voter impersonation fraud in Pennsylvania, so I am glad to see these changes being made to help people vote.'

 

State Rep. Martin Michael Schmotzer, an opponent of Pennsylvania's controversial voter ID law, is encouraging local residents to take advantage of statewide programs that could assist them in obtaining valid identification for voting purposes.

Pennsylvanians can obtain non-driver's license photo identification cards for free at any of the state's Department of Transportation driver's license centers, Schmotzer points out in a news release from his office.

Read more about that process here.

"In addition," Schmotzer says, "the Pennsylvania Department of Health is now issuing free birth certificates if you need one to get an ID that will be acceptable for voting. The health department is also giving refunds to those who have already obtained their birth certificate for voting and paid the $10 fee.

"The certificate must have been issued between March 14, 2012, through June 12, 2012."

More information about obtaining a Pennsylvania birth certificate for voting is available here.

"I believe these developments amount to an admission by the (Gov. Tom) Corbett administration that the voter ID law, which the Republican-controlled Legislature passed and the governor signed, was a mistake," Schmotzer says, "and they are trying to backtrack.

"There are no cases of voter impersonation fraud in Pennsylvania, so I am glad to see these changes being made to help people vote."

According to information released by the Department of State, registered voters who do not have verification documents necessary to get a Pennsylvania non-driver photo ID will be able to obtain a new Department of State ID card for free at any PennDOT driver's license center.

The documentation needed to obtain a Pennsylvania non-driver photo ID includes:

  • Social Security card
  • One of the following: Birth certificate with a raised seal, valid U.S. passport, certificate of U.S. citizenship or certificate of naturalization
  • Two proofs of residency, such as a lease agreement, current utility bills, mortgage documents, a W-2 form, tax records, bank statements and/or credit card bills

College students may also use room assignment paperwork and one bill with their dormitory address on it.

If a voter cannot produce any of these documents, he or she is eligible for a free Department of State ID card. The Department of State ID card is valid for voting purposes only and is intended only for people who cannot produce proper documentation for other types of photo ID.

Registered voters who want the new Department of State ID card must provide a name, address, Social Security number, proof of residency and previous name and/or address if changed within the past 12 months.

"This new ID may help people whose names have changed due to a recent marriage, for example," Schmotzer says.

An applicant must complete a Department of State ID application form and sign a document affirming that he or she is a registered voter but has no other form of identification that can be used for voting. Once the voter's information is verified, the person will receive the free Department of State ID card, which is valid for 10 years.

Additional information on voting and the types of photo IDs that can be used at election polls this November is available online at www.votespa.com.

Schmotzer, a Democrat whose 22nd House District of Pennsylvania includes all of Baldwin Township and part of Whitehall Borough, said that any resident of the 22nd District who encounters problems with obtaining a voter ID or the documents needed for a voter ID should contact his office at 412-343-2094.

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Related Topics: Baldwin Township, Elections, Martin Michael Schmotzer, PA voter ID, Pennsylvania Department of Health, Pennsylvania Department of State, Tom Corbett, Whitehall Borough, elections 2012, and participate 2012

cc

9:02 pm on Thursday, August 30, 2012

We haven't seen the Schmotzer comedy hour in a few weeks and was hoping we wouldn't have to see it again but here he is.
36 States now have laws that you need ID to vote and eventually the other 14 other states will be following this soon.
What I want to know is how all these poor people are going to get obamacare if they don't have photo ID which Insurance companies requires when someone is signing up for a any type of policy from car insuarnce, home owners, renters insurance to health care.

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bd

7:42 am on Friday, August 31, 2012

cc- You are right on the money. This article makes it seem that only Schmotzer's office would assist in getting you an ID if necessary. In reality, EVERY State Representative's and State Senator's office staff would assist with this. But, I guess this buffoon loves to see his name in the news and his huge ego allows him to make claim for actions that are not his alone. How many more months does this guy have left?

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cc

11:18 am on Friday, August 31, 2012

bd not soon enough, he is a joke. Schmotzer wants a pat on the back and good job for everything he does. No other rep has an ego like Schmotzer.

NE12Ukid

12:15 am on Friday, August 31, 2012

Never had to show a photo ID to get any of those items.

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cc

11:43 am on Friday, August 31, 2012

I just added 2 new employees to our health insurance for Highmark, I had to send them in Photo Copy of their Drivers License or Photo ID (is required). For them to drive or be a passenger in our company cars for Insurance purpose, our car insurace needed a State Photo ID or Drivers License. Most companies when they hire ask for State Photo ID or Drivers License along with their social security card. I just went and got a Business Card at Costco's and they asked for Photo ID from the State.

imout

8:50 am on Friday, August 31, 2012

ML, Nonexistent problem? Really? I guess if a lie is repeated enough it becomes true. There was massive voter fraud in Philly in the 1990s and a Federal Judge had to throw out an entire election because of it. Going back 80 years, republicans were involved in continuous and massive voter fraud in Philly. A Philly Study was performed looking at the this most recent primary. Many double votes, Voter impersonation, non citizen votes, irregular votes, etc. were found in a minute sample of the districts. And even if none of the fraud existed, I'd still close the barn door before the horses goy out. Again it's just common sence to any one that cares about the integrity of the democratic system. ML, since you doth protest too much, I am begining to think that you want the fraud to help your side in this election. Logic, try using it sometime, and do a little research.

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cc

11:29 am on Friday, August 31, 2012

Let see how many Acorn workers were busted in Pittsburgh, Philly, Erie for signing the same people up with 10 or more names and addresses so that they could vote in different polling places. I'm sure if they went back and compaired signatures they would of found many of people that voted more than once.

I would put money on it that people are trying to get more than one Photo ID to vote with after all it is the Democratic way.

Paula Lim

3:38 pm on Friday, August 31, 2012

Thank you Rep.Schmotzer for your help. Every bit of help in this situation is needed. With a voter fraud rate of .0002% you can see why this Voter ID law is a sham. The GOP will continue to trot out their lame excuses of all of the "dead Kennedy's voting". After working at the polls as a constable for several years I recently had the pleasure of Rick Saccone (he of the 2012 year of the Bible accomplishment) and the NRA sitting across from then while they checked up on the "35%" of dead voters casting ballots. I went directly to the Office of Elections, checked it out and it was proven to be false. Apparently everything that Fox News spew isn't true. this election I will devote my day to driving voters who the GOP attempted to disenfranchise to the polls myself! The only two legitimate cases of voter fraud recently detected were Ann Coulter using a fake address and some two bit GOP official lying about his polling place.

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cc

6:11 pm on Sunday, September 2, 2012

Both rejections are going to the Supreme Court and should have a ruling in October. It isn't over to the fat lady sings. Those two states defiantly need to have voters ID as to many Illegals there that have voted in the past.

cc

4:45 pm on Friday, August 31, 2012

LOL, Voter fraud is everywhere, Acorn was busted in Pittsburgh for sighing the same people up to vote at different polls, happened all over the state. Hmmmmmmm obummer was part of Acorn at one time. States that passed the law for Voters ID 36 states now all had some type of voters fraud and that is why they passed the law. Can't wait till all states have to provide Photo ID

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Brian Rampolla

12:15 pm on Sunday, September 2, 2012

Let’s tell it like it is ala Mike Turzai who clearly stated his goal of the new voter registration regulation was to help his man get elected. He’s afraid of the new demographics, and instead of making the Republican message more widely appealing or modifying the Republican policies he wants to use his power to reduce the number of people who might vote the other way. No two ways about it. Anybody of any political affiliation who supports these regulations has bought into the myth that our voting system integrity is at jeopardy because of the less than miniscule number of voter fraud cases, which are handled just fine under the current system. You all sit back in your easy chairs as millions of people across this country are forced to take a day off work or time out of their schedule to get ID that was never required before and smugly believe you’ve done some good, when all you’ve done is inconvenienced your fellow citizens for no benefit. And funny thing, these new regulations are primarily being pushed by the party so adamantly against new regulations! Except, it's not funny.

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cc

6:15 pm on Sunday, September 2, 2012

Take a day off of working, now that is funny. I am so glad they brought in Valid Photo ID, that way Acorn and the hundred of million people that they registered to vote can't more than once.

cc

7:21 pm on Sunday, September 2, 2012

love how people are so jealous over the money that Romney has, get over it, he has already released what was required of him on income taxes. lets see obummers school records, records from law school that he went to as an exchange student.

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Joe Kendall

10:26 am on Monday, September 3, 2012

Really .... why does Marty Schmotzer get publicity for actually doing the job for which he is being paid well for? Really? So glad that he is doing this.

Cannot wait for him to be out of this office. And please voters in the district, think ... do not put him back in our school district school board.

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NE12Ukid

1:12 pm on Monday, September 3, 2012

What publicity?
The article is clearly a PSA, there are many all over the place, if someone you like better personally is helping, and wants to put a PSA here, I'm sure they can do so same as Schmotzer or anyone else.

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cc

7:28 pm on Monday, September 3, 2012

Joe you are so right, he needs to go. Not sure why people keep on voting for him back on the school board. Unless people are afraid to vote for someone on the opposite party. This is one time people should to get rid of Marty.

cc

7:47 pm on Monday, September 3, 2012

Yes ms know it all seems to be everywhere with her not to correct answers. but hey no life outside the patch.,

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