What do you think of Metcalfes' Voter ID bill?

Metcalfe introduces Pa. voter ID bill
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
By Tom Barnes, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

HARRISBURG -- Now that the U.S. Supreme Court has upheld Indiana's law requiring voters to present photo identification, state Rep. Daryl Metcalfe wants to enact the same kind of law in Pennsylvania.

The Cranberry Republican has introduced House Bill 2519, which would require anyone wishing to vote to show one of several forms of photo ID when arriving at a polling place: a valid driver's license issued by PennDOT; a valid state or federal government employee ID; a valid employee ID card issued by an employer; a valid U.S. passport, student ID or armed forces ID; a voter ID card issued by a county registration commission.

Currently in Pennsylvania, only first-time voters have to present a photo ID. Some critics said a photo ID shouldn't be required because some people, especially retired senior citizens who don't drive, may not have a photo ID and thus would be deprived of the right to vote.

But Mr. Metcalfe said his bill is needed "in order to bar corrupt politicians, special interests and any other integrity-deficient individuals from executing unfair, criminal influence at the ballot box." He said requiring a photo ID would prevent illegal aliens, among others, from voting.

American Civil Liberties Union spokesman Andy Hoover opposed the Metcalfe bill.

"Voter registration is skyrocketing in Pennsylvania right now, and erecting new barriers to the ballot box is bad public policy," he said. "One can only conclude that legislators supporting this bill are scared of the voters. The proponents have shown no evidence of a problem with this kind of voter fraud."