Dennis Lee, a chief deputy city elections commissioner, wore a “Photo ID. Ask Me” button last week as he addressed the Take Back Your Neighborhood civic association meeting.
Some people believe that the state’s new voter identification law will lead to confusion at the polls on Nov. 6.
“We want long lines,” Lee said.
Lee wants long lines due to interest in the election, not mayhem because voters cannot produce identification.
The overwhelming majority of voters will probably show their driver’s licenses to be able to cast a ballot. Other acceptable forms of ID include passports, military identification cards, government employee cards, care facility cards and cards issued to college students, faculty and employees.
People without photo identification can obtain a non-driver’s license card for free at PennDOT driver’s license centers. They must bring their Social Security cards; birth certificates or passports; and two proofs of residency, such as lease agreements, mortgage documents, W-2 forms, tax records or current utility bills.
All identification must include an expiration date that is current.
People who do not have identification or the necessary documents can still get voter identification cards, good for 10 years, by visiting a driver’s license center and giving their names, addresses, Social Security numbers and proofs of residence, such as utility bills. The cards will be issued before the individuals leave the facility.
Lee urged people without identification to obtain cards long before Election Day to avoid long lines.
“Do not wait,” he said.
In related news, the Rhawnhurst Naturally Occurring Retirement Community will welcome a Committee of Seventy representative to its next meeting to discuss voter identification. The meeting will take place on Thursday, Sept. 27, at noon at Rhawnhurst Presbyterian Church, 7701 Loretto Ave.
For more information on the issue, call the Pennsylvania Department of State toll-free at 1–877-VotesPA, or call the Committee of Seventy toll-free at 1–866-OUR-VOTE or go to www.seventy.org/voterID
In other news from the Aug. 20 meeting:
* Max Myers Playground, at 1601 Hellerman St., will be holding flower arranging classes at 7 p.m. on the following Fridays: Sept. 28, Oct. 19, Nov. 30 and Dec. 21.
The December class will feature holiday-themed arrangements.
The cost is $5 per class. Reservations are required. Participants should bring a mug and scissors.
Call 215–685–1242 or email Pam at pamspetals1@yahoo.com
* Take Back Your Neighborhood, which covers Castor Gardens and the 19111 and 19149 ZIP codes, will meet again on Monday, Sept. 17, at 7 p.m. at Max Myers. The guests will include Lorrie McKinley, an attorney who deals with disability issues.
At the Oct. 15 meeting, speakers will include representatives of the Get Healthy Philly farmers market and The Bridge, which treats young people with drug, alcohol and mental problems.
More information on the group is available at www.takebackyourneighborhood.org
