Secretary of Commonwealth Announces Voter ID Education Partnership with PA Library Association

PALMYRA, Pa., June 6, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Pennsylvania Department of State and the Pennsylvania Library Association today announced a partnership to provide voter ID educational material at hundreds of libraries across the state.

"Libraries have always been places Pennsylvanians came to get information important to their lives," Secretary of the Commonwealth Carol Aichele said today in announcing the partnership at the Palmyra Public Library in Lebanon County.

"As focal points of the community, libraries have also long played key roles in Pennsylvania's civic life. Both of these traditions continue with today's partnership to help citizens learn about the voter ID law," Aichele said.

The Department of State oversees elections in Pennsylvania.

The Pennsylvania Library Association has agreed to distribute voter ID information to 632 libraries across the state. The association is encouraging its members to make copies of the free voter ID handout available at their circulation desks, reference areas and other information points. 

Beginning this fall, Pennsylvania law requires all voters to show a valid photo ID when appearing at the polls. While an analysis shows the vast majority of eligible voters already have acceptable photo ID, Aichele said her department wants to reach out to those who may not yet have a photo ID.

The law allows eligible voters who have no acceptable photo ID for voting to get a free, non-driver license photo ID at any PennDOT driver license center.

"The goal of voter ID is to establish a common-sense way to verify the identity of every voter and to make sure legal votes are not canceled by ballots cast illegally by people who are not eligible to vote," Aichele said.

"We want to get the word out to every eligible voter in Pennsylvania about this law and do all we can to see that everyone who wants a photo ID gets one," Aichele said.

The Department of State—Pennsylvania Library Association voter ID partnership is part of the PA Forward initiative which establishes relationships with government agencies, private companies, and associations to reinforce the importance of libraries in communities.

"The Pennsylvania Library Association is pleased to collaborate in this new public-private partnership to prepare citizens for participation in the November 2012 elections," said Debbie Malone, PA Library Association president. "Libraries are uniquely positioned to give Pennsylvanians the knowledge they need to contribute effectively in their communities."

More information on Pennsylvania's voter ID law, including a list of all acceptable photo IDs, is available at www.votesPA.com, or by calling 1-877-VOTESPA (1-877-868-3772).

Media contact: Ron Ruman, 717-783-1621

SOURCE Pennsylvania Department of State