House Takes First Step Toward Voter ID Constitutional Amendment, Causer Says
HARRISBURG – Rep. Martin Causer (R-Cameron/McKean/Potter) today joined a majority in the state House in adopting legislation seeking to amend the state Constitution to require voters to present identification each time they cast a ballot.
“There is broad support among all Pennsylvanians – Republicans, Democrats and Independents – for expanded voter ID laws to boost election security,” Causer said. “We already show ID for most everything we do. It is not too much to ask to have people present ID when exercising their right to vote.”
Under the proposed amendment, voters would be required to present valid identification each time they cast their ballot, regardless of their method of voting. Any voter who does not have valid identification would be provided a government-issued ID at no cost to ensure no voter is disenfranchised by the requirement.
The voter ID constitutional amendment is one of five proposed constitutional amendments included in
Senate Bill 106. Other proposed amendments would:
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Require comprehensive auditing of elections, including the administration of elections, certification of election machines, the accuracy of the list of registered voters, the administration of voter registration and election results.
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Limit executive orders to 21 days unless extended by a concurrent resolution of the General Assembly.
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Allow the General Assembly to fully disapprove of a regulation without approval of the governor.
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Allow candidates for governor to select their running mates for lieutenant governor, similar to the way presidential candidates select vice presidential running mates. Currently, the office of lieutenant governor is elected independently.
In order to amend the state Constitution, these proposals must be passed in identical form by the House and Senate in two consecutive sessions of the General Assembly and then approved by voters in a referendum.
The bill now returns to the Senate for its consideration.
Representative Martin T. Causer
House Majority Policy Committee Chairman
67th District, Pennsylvania House of Representatives