Pa. simplifies process to getting voter ID

ONE TRIP to PennDOT should now be enough to get that elusive photo ID.

After being criticized for its effort to distribute free IDs that will comply with a new strict voter-ID law, the Pennsylvania Department of State announced Tuesday that it is simplifying its process by removing the proof-of-residence requirement for one type of identification. Submitting a name, address, date of birth and Social Security number will now suffice for a voting-only Department of State ID.

PennDOT employees are expected to verify that the applicant is registered to vote while he is waiting. Previously, opponents of the law said, some applicants would have to visit a PennDOT licensing center more than once to get a free, nondriver ID enabling them to vote in November.

The changes were prompted by criticism from the state Supreme Court, which said that the state didn't make getting an ID easy enough. The court also remanded a lawsuit challenging the law to a lower court. Commonwealth Court is expected to rule by next week.

"We believe these updates to our process will meet the Supreme Court standard that voter-ID cards be liberally accessible," Secretary of the Commonwealth Carol Aichele said.

Because the procedures for getting IDs have repeatedly changed, community activists have found it difficult to inform the public.

"I have trouble keeping it straight," said Zack Stalberg, president the good-government group Committee of Seventy, adding that he approved of the streamlined procedure.

Still, he said, "People do have the day before the election to get voter ID." Forty-eight PennDOT centers will stay open on the Monday before Election Day for last-minute ID applications. For more info, call 800-932- 4600 or log on to dmv. state.pa. us.

- The Associated Press contributed to this report.