Pennsylvania’s new voter ID law will have a direct impact on citizens who exercise their right to vote. Under the latest court ruling, voters will NOT be required to show a photo ID in order to vote in November’s General Election. However, eventually voters will be required to show a valid form of identification in order to vote, as the law currently stands under the court ruling.
If you do not have a valid form of identification, the state will provide one to you at no cost. Take the steps now to make sure that your vote counts in future elections.
My staff and I will gladly help you ensure that you have the proper documentation to obtain a state-issued ID. Please do not hesitate to contact me for assistance.
- Acceptable Forms of ID
- How To Apply for a Free Valid ID
- Filing an Absentee Ballot
- Checklist to Get My Free Photo ID
Acceptable Forms of ID
Under the latest court ruling, voters will NOT be required to show a photo ID in order to vote in November’s General Election.
All photo IDs must contain an expiration date that is current, unless noted otherwise. Acceptable IDs include the following:
- Photo ID issued by the federal government or the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania (including the voter ID card issued by PennDOT)
- PA Driver’s License or non-driver’s ID (for voting purposes, IDs are valid 12 months past expiration date)
- Valid U.S. passport
- U.S. military ID- active duty and retired military (a military or veteran’s ID must designate an expiration date or designate that the expiration date is indefinite). Military dependents’ ID must contain an expiration date
- Employee photo ID issued by federal, PA, PA county or PA municipal government
- Photo ID from an accredited PA public or private institution of higher learning, including colleges, universities, seminaries, community colleges and other two-year colleges
- Photo ID issued by a PA care facility, including long-term care facilities, assisted living residences or personal care homes
How To Apply for a Free Valid ID
Under the latest court ruling, voters will NOT be required to show a photo ID in order to vote in November’s General Election.
Those without an acceptable form of identification may get one at no cost at the local PennDOT Driver License Center if they still have their EXPIRED Pennsylvania driver’s license, their EXPIRED Pennsylvania non-driver photo ID, or if their information is still in PennDOT’s system, which can be verified by calling PennDOT at 1-800-932-4600.
If you do not have a Pennsylvania Photo ID or a driver’s license, visit a PennDOT Driver License Center with the following paperwork
- A completed PennDOT Oath/Affirmation Voter ID form that you do not possess proper ID to vote
- A completed Application for an Initial Photo Identification Card; form DL-54A (The $13.50 fee will be waived with the completed Oath/Affirmation Voter ID form)
- 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, 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 dorm room address on it.
If you do not have a Birth Certificate with a raised seal and are a Pennsylvania native, you may do the following:
- Tell the PennDOT customer service representative you are a Pennsylvania native who needs a photo ID for voting purposes, and you do not have a certified copy of your birth certificate;
- Sign an oath/affirmation that they do not have an acceptable form of ID for voting purposes and the photo ID is needed for voting purposes;
- Show a Social Security card and two proofs of residence, such as a deed, lease, tax bill, or utility bill;
- Fill out a DL-54A form requesting a non-driver photo ID and;
- Complete the HD01564F (Request for Certification of Birth Record for Voter ID Purposes Only) form, which collects information such as birth name, mother and father’s name and place of birth. This form is available at driver’s license centers.
If you cannot locate your Social Security card or birth certificate, my staff and I will gladly help you fill out the paperwork to obtain these items.
Registered voters who do not have all of the proper documentation (such as a birth certificate) may apply at a PennDOT Driver License Center for a FREE, on-the-spot voter ID, according to the PA Department of State. You will be asked to fill out a Request of Initial Issuance of PA Department of State ID for Voting Purposes form.
Applicants will be required to provide the following information:
- Name
- Date of Birth
- Address
- Social Security Number
- A completed PennDOT Oath/Affirmation Voter ID form that you do not possess proper ID to vote
Filing an Absentee Ballot
Under the latest court ruling, voters will NOT be required to show a photo ID in order to vote in November’s General Election.
To cast an absentee ballot, you will need one of the following proofs of identification with your application:
- Driver’s license number;
- Last four numbers of your Social Security number (for individuals who do not have a current valid driver’s license);
- Photocopy of a valid-without-photo driver’s license or a valid-without-photo ID card (for individuals who have a religious objection to being photographed); or
- Photocopy of one of the acceptable forms of ID under the new law
Checklist to Get My Free Photo ID
Under the latest court ruling, voters will NOT be required to show a photo ID in order to vote in November’s General Election.
- PennDOT Oath/Affirmation Voter ID form
- PennDOT DL-54A form
- 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