By Matthew Koos ’13

Earlier this year, Pennsylvania became the 33rd state to enact a controversial voter identification law designed to reduce voter fraud.

Opponents say the law discriminates against minorities and lower-income citizens, who are less likely to have licenses or passports.

The law requires all voters to show proper identification at the polls. A federal or state-issued ID would meet these standards.

If you are a Penn. resident with valid state photo identification, you have nothing to worry about.

According to Director of Student Life Pamela Brewer, just over 400 students—about 20 percent of the student body—have Penn. IDs.

However, if you are an out-of-state student registered to vote in Penn., your license will not work.

“Pennsylvania law [accepts] university or college identification, as long as there is a concrete expiration date,” Government and Law Professor John Kincaid said.

Older Lafayette student IDs do not have expiration dates. If you try to present an old ID, you will be turned away from the polls.

Lafayette College has worked to ensure that no student will be denied the right to vote this Election Day.

In July, the College redesigned the student ID card, adding an expiration month and year. According to Brewer, this makes the Lafayette ID valid for voting.

“Lafayette was way ahead of the curve on this, and, over the summer, several other local colleges contacted us for advice on this issue,” Brewer said.

Freshmen received the new ID upon arrival. If they choose to register to vote in Penn., they will encounter no problems
However, upperclassmen who still have the old Lafayette ID cannot use theirs at the polls. They must go to the college ID office and turn in their old ID for a new one.

A school-wide email will be sent out on Constitution Day, September 17, reminding students of the change. The email will also provide registration information.

If you plan on voting in Penn., you must be registered by October 6.

This past week, the College Democrats helped many students register. According to Co-President Lauren White ’13, approximately 250 students have registered. White stresses that it’s been a bipartisan effort.

“We are doing no recruiting or campaigning,” she said.

November 6 is approaching. If you plan on visiting the ballot box, make sure you’ve taken the steps to make your vote count.
More information about the Pennsylvania Voter ID Law can be found online at www.votespa.com.