The Herald, Sharon, Pa.

Breaking News

Local News

August 28, 2012

Few inquiring about voter ID concerns

By Sandy Scarmack Herald Staff Writer

MERCER COUNTY — The county’s election office has seen a few people in the last several months who have concerns about having the correct identification that will allow them to vote this fall, but Elections Director Jeff Greenburg said that may be because the word “really hasn’t gotten out yet.”

“We’ve had a handful of people with questions and a few with complaints about the process, but nothing overwhelming,” he said.

PennDOT began issuing free voter ID cards Monday in the Pittsburgh area and starting today, will be issued at all Pennsylvania department of motor vehicle centers, according to Greenburg. “It’s called the ID of last resort,” Greenburg said, and is intended to be a catch-all for voters who don’t have a driver’s license or other required identification.

Greenburg said he doesn’t have an idea locally of how many people may not have the appropriate documentation. “We don’t really have a sense of that yet. Looking across the state the numbers may be very low, we just don’t know yet,” he said.

Voters who feel they need the new state voter ID card should call PennDOT and explain their situation and find out what they need to bring to the photo center. That number is 1-800-932-4600.

To apply, voters must first be registered to vote, know their Social Security number and can verify their address. Greenburg urges calling first. “Explain your situation to them. Ask what you need to bring. Don’t make a trip to the center until you do that,” he said.

The DMV on Route 58 is open Tuesday through Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. It is open until 6 p.m. Thursdays.

For voters who need to apply for the card and do not have transportation, the Mercer County Community Transit will offer rides at a nominal cost, as long as the trip is scheduled in advance. Transportation appointments can be made by calling 724-981-6222.

Until very recently it wasn’t even a certainty that photo identification would be required at the polls. Critics appealed the GOP-backed law, saying it could possibly prevent thousands of low-income and minority voters who may not have the required identification.

A state judge ruled in mid-August that the requirements would not pose an “unreasonable burden” on voters and opponents are appealing that decision before the state Supreme Court.

Greenburg said he will be offering voter outreach programs in the coming months and said the state is starting to put out information. Anyone with questions is encouraged to call the county’s election office at 724-662-7542.

Text Only
Local News
  • Council takes ‘baby step’ toward exiting Act 47

    For 26 years, Farrell’s been in financial trouble.

    May 21, 2013

  • Drug tests get tentative board OK

    Carol Sloan, a Hermitage resident, had three concerns about the proposed voluntary student drug testing program in Hermitage schools, one of which was the possibility of spending tax dollars on the program.

    May 21, 2013

  • School board proposes 1st tax hike in 6 years

    Hermitage School Board is proposing the first property tax hike since 2007-08 under a 2013-14 budget tentatively approved Monday.

    May 21, 2013

  • School district facing big deficit and hard choices

    Sharon City School Board on Monday unanimously approved a preliminary budget for the 2013-14 school year includes a $2 million deficit.

    May 21, 2013

  • More than a million in Pa. denied right to vote

    More than 1 million registered voters in Pennsylvania will be barred from casting a ballot Tuesday because the state only allows registered Democrats and Republicans to participate in the primary election.

    May 21, 2013

  • District reserves to cover $500,000 shortfall

    Although Mercer Area School District has a $500,000 shortfall in its budget for the coming school year, school directors do not plan to raise taxes.

    May 20, 2013

  • Yes and no on voter ID

    After another “dry run” of a voter ID law under legal review, Pennsylvania voters might start chafing.

    May 20, 2013

  • Crash claims 21-year-old

    A 21-year-old Sandy Lake man was killed early Saturday when he lost control of his car and rolled it several times on Hadley Road, Perry Township.

    May 19, 2013

  • UPMC to judge: Throw out bias claim

    UPMC Horizon has asked a federal judge to throw out a former employee’s claim that he was discriminated against because of his gender.

    May 19, 2013

  • Judge Christopher St. John Judicial daily double

    This year marks the first time in the county’s 209 years as a judicial district that voters have the opportunity to choose a new judge, while also deciding whether to retain an existing one.

    May 19, 2013 1 Photo