Too hard
While Voter ID laws designed to prevent the non-existent problem of voter fraud have gotten most of the attention, it’s not the only way Pennsylvanians are going to find it harder to vote than in other states.
The Associated Press reported this week that Pennsylvania state election officials have ditched plans to implement online voter registration this year.
The AP reports that based on an analysis of information from the National Conference of State Legislatures, Pennsylvania is the largest state without online voter registration or election-day registration, early voting and no-excuse absentee balloting.
Pennsylvania is also one of only 10 states that do not allow early voting or online or election-day registration, while requiring an excuse from a voter — such as an illness or travel — to cast an absentee ballot.
A majority of states, 33, and the District of Columbia allow voters to cast either a no-excuse absentee ballot or to vote early, by mail or in person, without having to give a reason. Eight states allow election-day registration. Pennsylvania will cut off voter registration this year after Oct. 9, and the last day to apply for a civilian absentee ballot is Oct. 30. Fourteen states have approved online voter registration, although three states have not implemented it yet, according to the NCSL.
The Pennsylvania Department of State, which oversees elections, began to explore the concept of online voter registration earlier this year. It dropped the idea after county officials voiced concern that they could not absorb the new process at the same time they are trying educate poll workers about Pennsylvania’s tough new voter identification law, signed in March by Gov. Tom Corbett.
The photo ID law, now one of the toughest in the nation, requires each voter to show a valid form of photo before their vote is counted. It is being challenged in court, and the state Supreme Court heard oral arguments Thursday in Philadelphia. That law, championed by Republicans and tea party conservatives, is staunchly opposed by Democrats and advocates of liberalizing voting laws.
The Voter ID law was rammed through by Republicans, who control the governor’s mansion and both houses of the state Legislature. As part of earlier court challenges, the state’s lawyers admitted that in-person voter fraud — the “problem” that the Voter ID law will “fix” — was both non-existent and would not be expected to occur without ID being required.
It’s appalling that when recognized and workable options exist for expanding voter turnout and registration that our state is so utterly backwards. The message is clear: While most of the country is seeking to improve democracy by expanding access to voting and voter registration, Pennsylvania is apparently happy with the people who already vote, thankyouverymuch.