What Your Community Needs to Know About the New Voter ID Law

As a result of the passage of HB 934 all Pennsylvania residents are required to show a valid form of photo ID to vote in the General Election this November. While this law is being challenged as unconstitutional, it is important to inform residents across Philadelphia of what these new requirements will mean and what forms of identification will be acceptable.

Any one of the following forms of ID issued by the US Government or Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is acceptable:

·         Pennsylvania driver’s license or PennDOT photo ID card (valid for voting 12 months past expiration date)

·         Current U.S. Passport

·         Current U.S. military ID or Pennsylvania National Guard photo ID (active duty and retired military IDs may designate an expiration date that is indefinite). Military dependents’ IDs must contain a current expiration date.

·         Current employee photo ID issued by Federal, Pennsylvania, or a Pennsylvania County, or Municipal government

·         Current photo ID issued by an accredited Pennsylvania public or private institution of higher learning (only IDs with an expiration date can be used)

·         Current photo ID issued by a licensed nursing, personal care, or assisted living facility (only IDs with an expiration date can be used) 

As a result of these strict requirements, PennDOT will be issuing FREE non-driver photo IDs to those without a valid form of ID. More information about obtaining a free ID from PennDOT can be found here.

Some, including all persons whose last valid photo ID expired before 1990 will be required to show a birth certificate and other forms of ID to be eligible for a new ID. These people are urged to call PennDOT’s Customer Care Center at 1-800-932-4600.

Additionally, the Homeless Advocacy Project will be holding a “Birth Certificate Clinic” on Wednesday, June 6^th from 9:30 – 11:00 AM. More information about this event can be found here.

Those unable to attend the “Birth Certificate Clinic” are urged to find out about additional upcoming clinics here.

If you or someone you know is unable to obtain a birth certificate, is denied a free ID by PennDOT, or experiences other irregularities please contact the American Civil Liberties Union of Pennsylvania or call 1-866-OUR-VOTE.

For an FAQ on the new law from the Pennsylvania Department of State, click here.

For the full text of the legislation, click here.