Pa. House again delays vote on voter-ID bill

HARRISBURG - For the second day in a row, the Pennsylvania House of Representatives delayed voting on a controversial measure that would require voters in the state to present photo identification at the polls.

After more than four hours' debate on the so-called voter-ID bill, the House broke for the day without explanation. The discussion is to resume Wednesday morning.

Steve Miskin, spokesman for House Majority Leader Mike Turzai (R., Allegheny), said a long list of legislators was still in line to speak, so the decision was made to extend the debate.

"Democrats always say we rush things," said Miskin. "They can't say that now."

Yet there were persistent whispers in Capitol hallways that the House was breaking early to accommodate election-year campaign fund-raisers.

On Tuesday, three such receptions for House members were scheduled in the Harrisburg area - one for a Republican at 5:30 p.m., and two at 6 - one for a Democrat, one for a Republican. The House adjourned shortly before 6.

Miskin called the suggestion "ludicrous." "There are fund-raisers all the time," he said. "This has nothing to do with that."

Earlier in the day, one House Democrat after another denounced the bill as one that would disenfranchise thousands of elderly, poor and disabled voters. "Why are we wasting time and energy debating and legislating a nonexistent problem?" said Rep. Michelle Brownlee (D., Philadelphia). "Does it put food in the mouths of constituents? Does it create jobs?"

Republicans countered that the intent was to ensure elections' integrity. "We are telling people you can vote, but you can only vote once," said Rep. Tim Krieger (R., Westmoreland). "There is no evidence whatsoever that this will suppress votes."

Notwithstanding the delay, there was little doubt about the bill's fate in the GOP-controlled House. Gov. Corbett has said he will sign the bill, which will take effect in time for the fall presidential vote.

Last year, 34 states introduced similar bills. Legal challenges ensued in states with recently enacted laws, such as Texas, South Carolina, and Wisconsin. In Pennsylvania, the ACLU and state Senate Democrats are vowing to sue.

The bill would mandate voters show a photo ID such as a driver's license; a student or municipal ID card; or ID from a personal-care home. Voters with no photo ID could cast a provisional ballot, and would have six days to present officials with an acceptable ID.

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation would issue free ID cards to those who apply and swear they had no other acceptable proof of identity.

Voters now have to show identification only the first time they vote.