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Committee advances voter ID bill after hours-long debate over access and fraud concerns
Summary
The Pennsylvania House State Government Committee voted to report House Bill 771, which would require voters to produce identification at each in-person election but permits vouching or a signed affidavit when ID is not available. The bill drew extended debate over potential burdens on seniors and whether it addresses actual election fraud.
The House State Government Committee voted to report House Bill 771, Printers No. 991, which would amend the Pennsylvania Election Code to require voters to produce identification at each in-person election while including two alternative processes for voters without acceptable ID.
Under the bill as explained to the committee, acceptable forms of identification would mirror existing first-time-voter rules; a voter who appears without ID could either have another registered voter from the same precinct vouch for them (both sign a form) or sign an affidavit under penalty of perjury asserting their identity. A voter unable to provide any of those would be permitted to cast a provisional ballot, according to the summary read by committee staff.
Representative…
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