The state Democratic party has prepared a helpful Voter ID education page to keep you updated on new voting requirements. Read below for answers to common questions about Pennsylvania’s new Voter ID law and be sure to share with your friends and neighbors:

What do you mean new law – doesn’t PA already require voters to present an ID at the polls?
The new law dramatically changes the requirements by mandating: (1) YOU MUST SHOW AN ID EVERY TIME YOU VOTE, and (2) only a valid photo ID (as identified below) is acceptable.   The prior law only required you to present an ID if you were voting for the first time ever or voting for the first time in a new place (for example, when moving requires you to vote at a new polling place). And the prior law allowed you to identify yourself by showing photo or non‐photo ID with your name and address (for example, a utility bill, paycheck or bank statement).

What kind of IDs should I bring to the polls in November? 
Starting on November 6, in order to vote at your polling place, you and everyone else voting must prove their identity by showing one of the following PHOTO IDs issued by: (Unless otherwise noted, your ID must be valid – in other words, your photo ID must have an expiration date and that date cannot have expired.)

• The United States government, e.g., a U.S. passport
• The Commonwealth of PA, e.g., a driver’s license (NOTE: An expired driver’s license is okay as long as it is within 12 months after the expiration date)
• A PA municipality (e.g., city, county, borough, incorporated town) to municipal employees
• An accredited PA public or private institution of higher learning, e.g., a student card
• A PA care facility, which includes a long‐term care nursing facility, an assisted living residence or a personal care home
• U.S. Armed Forces branches or their reserves, including the PA National Guard (NOTE: The ID holder can be a veteran or current member; the expiration date can be indefinite.)

So I can’t show up with a picture taken on my iPhone or in one of those photo booths?  
You can, but you won’t be able to vote with it.

I have a religious objection to being photographed.  
You can still vote by presenting a valid non‐photo driver’s license or other non‐photo ID issued by the PA Department of Transportation (known as PennDOT).

I don’t have any of the forms of ID you mentioned. 
You can apply for a PennDOT Photo Identification Card by submitting form DL‐54A and signing an Oath/Affirmation that you don’t have an acceptable form of ID in order to vote. When completing the application, you will need to provide:

• Your social security card, AND
• Your official birth certificate (with a raised seal), certificate of U.S. citizenship, certificate of naturalization or a valid U.S. passport, AND
• Two proofs of residency, e.g., lease agreement, mortgage documents, W‐2 form, tax records or current utility bill

What if my name changed and doesn’t “match” the name on some documents I’m showing PennDOT?
PennDOT recommends bringing documents that “connect” the names. For example, if you got married or divorced, it’s a good idea to bring a marriage certificate or a divorce decree.

I live with my parents. Where am I going to get two proofs of residency? 
You can bring one of your parents with you to PennDOT to show their driver’s license or non‐driver’s photo ID.  As a second proof of residency, you can bring a bank statement, paystub or a credit card bill as long as the address matches the address on your parent’s ID.

What if I live in a dorm room at a PA college or university?
A photo ID from an accredited PA college or university that is valid (not beyond the expiration date) can be used at the polls. But if there is no expiration date on this photo ID, and you want to vote at your PA college address (rather than at your home address), you can apply to PennDOT for a photo ID by submitting paperwork showing your dorm room assignment and a bill with your dorm room address as one proof of residency. A bank statement or paystub with your dorm address can serve as a second proof of residency.

What if I go to a college or university college out‐of‐state?  
Student IDs from non‐PA colleges or universities are not acceptable forms of photo ID.

How much will it cost me to get a Photo Identification Card in order to vote? 
Nothing. It’s free. (But getting a certified copy of your birth certificate will cost you $10 if you were born in Pennsylvania or more if you were born elsewhere. The fee may be waived for voters who served or are currently serving in the Armed Forces or their dependents.)

Where can I find the nearest PennDOT office?   
Click here for a listing of all PennDOT offices around the state: http://www.dot.state.pa.us/

 What happens if I show up at the polls without an acceptable photo ID?
On April 24, you will still be able to vote as you always have. (But, remember, first‐time voters or voters casting a ballot for the first time in a new district must show photo or non‐photo ID.)  Starting in November, if you don’t come to the polls with an acceptable photo ID, you will not be permitted to vote by the election officials.  If you are denied the right to vote at the polling place, you will still have a right to vote by provisional (paper) ballot. You can also vote by provisional ballot if you say you can’t afford to get proof of your identity without paying a fee.

Will my provisional ballot count? 
Not automatically. If you cast a provisional ballot, then within six calendar days of an election, you must affirm – either in person at your County Board of Elections or by sending the Board an electronic, faxed or paper copy of an affirmation – that you are the same person who appeared at the polls on election day and cast a provisional ballot and, if this applies, that you can’t afford to get proof of your identity without paying a fee. You can be prosecuted for perjury if you give false information.

 And I if don’t do this within six days?  
Your provisional ballot won’t be counted.

 Where can I find my County Board of Elections?  
Click here for a listing of all County Boards of Election around the state: http://www.votespa.com/

 Do I need to show ID to vote by absentee ballot?
Unless you are a military or overseas voter applying for an absentee ballot, you must prove your identity by providing one of the following on your application for an absentee ballot:

• Your driver’s license number
• The last four digits of your social security number (if you don’t have a driver’s license)
• A copy of any photo ID that would be acceptable if you were voting in person
• A non‐photo driver’s license or other non‐photo ID issued by PennDOT (if you have a religious objection to being photographed)

What happens if my absentee ballot is rejected?
If you don’t prove your identity properly, or your proof can’t be verified by the County Board of Elections, you will get a notice from the Board (along with the absentee ballot) that you must provide acceptable proof or your absentee ballot won’t count. You have six calendar days after an election to do this.

 I’m disabled and voting is hard enough for me as it is, what can I do?
If you are disabled and your polling place is not accessible, you are eligible to vote by alternative ballot. The new Voter photo ID law doesn’t require you to show proof of identification if you vote by alternative ballot.

This is happening really fast. Isn’t the primary around the corner? 
Yes, on April 24. The April 24 primary is like a dress rehearsal. You will be asked for a photo ID but will still be allowed to vote on the machines at your polling place without a valid ID. It’s a good idea to bring a photo ID just to get in the habit of bringing it to the polls every time you vote.

 Do I have to bring a photo ID to the November election?  
Absolutely. PA’s voter ID law goes into full effect for the November 6 general election. In other words, if you want to vote for president or U.S. Senator or anyone else on the ballot, you must present an acceptable photo ID.

• Barack Obama, President of the United States
• Robert Casey, Jr., United States Senate
• Ken Lee, U.S. Congress, 4^th District
• Eugene DePasquale, Pennsylvania Auditor General
• Rob McCord, Pennsylvania State Treasurer
• Susan Spicka, Pennsylvania State Representative, 89^th District

“I am excited by all our endorsements, especially the endorsements of Ken Lee for Congress in the 4th Congressional District and Susan Spicka for State Representative in the 89th. These two are exceptionally well-qualified candidates who are talking about stronger and better representation of the people of Cumberland County,” said Michael Fedor, Chairman. The Committee is also proud to endorse Eugene DePasquale, an exemplary state representative and a strong Democrat from South Central Pennsylvania, for Auditor General.

The committee chose to leave two Primary Election races open – the 11th Congressional District between Democrats Gene Stilp and Bill Vinsko and the race for Attorney General. “In both cases, the committee seemed to say we have a well-qualified field, and so the committee wants to let the candidates fight on an even playing field in the County so the strongest candidate emerges in each race this April,” said Fedor.

Asked about the number of races where Democrats do not have a candidate on the ballot for the state legislature this spring, Fedor said, “There is no doubt that the failure of the reapportionment commission to host a truly open process and its failure to pass a legal map played a part in this. We also recognize we are rebuilding as a Party. When resources are limited, it’s best to put forward a strategic plan for success that builds for the long term. Electing Susan Spicka to the state house and winning one or both of our Congressional races this year would be important steps in that direction.”

The Cumberland County Democratic Committee also elected Deb Fulham-Winston to fill the vacant Secretary position, and appointed Barb Muller as Deputy Secretary. Both women are from Carlisle.

We’ve also revamped our fundraising efforts this year with the introduction of the Presidents Club, which will replace the Century Club. Many of you have contributed to the Century Club in the past, and we thank you for that generous support. The Presidents Club will take our fundraising to a whole new level, and enable us to deliver wins for our Party and our candidates while leveling the playing field against the Republican machine. To learn more about how you can get involved and join the Presidents Club, follow this link.

Friday, January 27th from 6:00-8:00pm
Saturday, January 28th from Noon-3:00pm

Our headquarters are located at 46 W. Louther St., Carlisle.

Petitions are available for:

Barack Obama
Bob Casey, Jr.
Eugene DePasquale (Auditor General)
Rob McCord (Treasurer)
Gene Stilp (11th Congressional District)
Bill Vinsko (11th Congressional District)
Ken Lee (4th Congressional District)

We ask that all petition circulators give us their names and phone numbers so we can keep track of completed petitions.

Please note: The recent Supreme Court ruling on redistricting does not affect our work for our statewide or federal candidates, so continue to gather those signatures! The new deadline for completion is Thursday, February 16th. You may continue to circulate for general assembly candidates, but our advice as of today is to observe existing legislative district lines that have been in effect since 2002. If this changes, we will notify you with different instructions.

Thank you for your dedication to getting our candidates on the ballot. It’s going to be a great year.

Earlier this month, the Cumberland County Democratic Committee unanimously voted not to send a name to the County Court of Common Pleas to fill the Jury Commissioner vacancy left by Rick Rovegno. The Committee also called upon our elected representatives in the General Assembly to empower our County Commissioners to eliminate this wasteful expense. Due to the computer automated selection of jury members and the talented workforce that oversees that process, the position of Jury Commissioner is no longer necessary and eliminating it is the just and responsible action to the taxpayers of Cumberland County.

It is for these reasons that we also call on Republican Jury Commissioner Lowell Gates to
uphold his 2009 campaign pledge to return his salary to the County treasury, a promise he has thus far failed to keep.