The editorial on April 14 addressed the new Pennsylvania voter ID law that our Governor signed into law. You want us to look at the spirit and the mechanics and not the uproar. You stated an acceptable ID as a driver's license.
True, but it has to be a driver's license issued by the state of Pennsylvania. You stated that those who lack a driver's license can from now until the general election in November get a free photo ID from the state. That is true, but it will cost the taxpayers $11 million to do, money the governor keeps telling us we don't have to spend. This outreach for getting proper ID to all includes reaching target groups like the elderly. Which means there are groups who do not have the proper IDs.
Are we sure that the outreach will be nonpartisan? In the meantime, the rest of us paid for ours. So we can not vote unless we present a Photo ID we paid for.
You also stated this was to insure the integrity of the vote as it is being cast and not questioned after the election. This is accomplished by questioning the integrity of the voter who is there to cast their vote. Too bad the integrity of the legislators of bills like this is not questioned nor the integrity of those who keep the records for voting or safe guarding the votes that were cast. All the onus of voting fraud is placed on the shoulders of the voters not shared with those who legislate, campaign, record or count the votes. The outcomes of elections will be questioned and accusations of fraud will be seen to exist and need to be investigated.
Finally, you want to soften the requirements of proof for the religious sects that ban photos of themselves. For those who are not a member of these sects and who do not have a proper photo ID the requirements of proof stay the same. Why is it we allow our legislators to add more mechanics for voting and not improve the spirit of voting?
Charles M. Reeder
Montoursville
Submitted by Virtual Newsroom
