Politics & Government

Larry Maggi Announces 'Let Larry Vote' Voter ID Petition

The Congressional contender for Whitehall Borough says that he might not be able to vote because of a new voter ID law.

Lawrence Maggi, the Democratic candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives' 18th District of Pennsylvania, says that he might not be able to vote this November because of . 

The 18th District includes .

Maggi's name was released by the Pennsylvania Department of State as having a different name on his voter registration than on his driver's license. His voter registration is listed as "Larry Maggi," while his driver's license reads "Lawrence Owen Maggi."

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To raise awareness of the voter ID law that is set to be implemented in fewer than 90 days, Maggi created www.letlarryvote.com to encourage citizens to sign his petition and demonstrate support for an injunction to delay the law's implementation.

According to the new law, the name on a voter's ID must "substantially conform" to the name on his or her voter registration.

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Because the law does not define "substantially conform," Maggi said that the election judge at each polling location will decide if individual IDs meet that standard when a ballot is challenged.

In the event that Maggi's ballot is challenged, he will have to fill out an affidavit, submit a provisional ballot and produce proof of residency within five days.

"Even though the Department of State has verified that Maggi meets the qualifications to run for federal office, the same department may deny him his right to vote," a news release from Maggi's campaign office reads.

"As a Marine, I served our country to protect freedom and democracy for every American," Maggi says. "The most basic freedom in a democracy is the right to vote. Now, I am not even certain my vote will count this November.

"The state is not ready to implement this law if over 700,000 people do not have the proper ID to be eligible to vote, including veterans and lifelong residents (of their districts)."

This article originally appeared on the .

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