A trial run of the state's new voter ID requirement Tuesday saw roughly nine out of 10 Schuylkill County voters bring proper photo identification before submitting ballots for the primary election.
"A lot of precincts told me that a lot of people had their IDs with them and a lot of people knew about it," Frannie Brennan, Schuylkill County Election Bureau director, said Friday.
According to statistics made available by the county election bureau, out of 12,656 voters in 55 precincts, only 1,245, or 0.098 percent, did not provide proper photo identification.
There were 125 voting precincts in the county this year, but only 55 reported voter ID numbers as of Friday.
Voters were not turned away from polls Tuesday if they didn't bring proper ID, but they were given information about how to obtain the proper identification before it is required in November's General Election.
Signed into law March 14, Pennsylvania is one of 16 states that will require photo identification before voting while an addition 16 states require identification, but no photo, according to the National Conference of State Legislature.
Brennan also said the bureau will be giving out new absentee ballots for the November election. She said more information about possible changes for absentee voters will be available when the bureau receives the new ballots. Brennan also said the last four digits of a voter's social security number can be used for proper identification.
"I think that the only real issue could be the veteran's ID because there is no expiration date," Brennan said.
Brenda Griffiths-Zechman, Schuylkill County director of Veterans Affairs, said she had yet to hear any complaints as of Friday.
"I also think that the public was well-informed about the issue," Griffiths-Zechman said.
Pennsylvania's law states that all photo IDs must be current and have an expiration date unless otherwise noted. Acceptable photo IDs issued by the federal government or the state include a driver's license or non-driver's license (IDs are valid for voting purposes up to a year past expiration date), a valid U.S. passport or a U.S. military ID, active duty or retired.
Military or veteran's ID must have an expiration date or be indefinite. Military dependents' ID must contain an expiration date.
Acceptable forms of photo ID also include a current employee photo ID issued by the federal, state, county or municipal government; photo ID cards from an accredited public or private state college or university; and photo ID cards issued by a state care facility, including long-term care facilities, assisted living residences or personal care homes.
If voters do not have a photo ID or are unable to obtain one without a fee, they can cast a provisional ballot and will have six days to provide a photo ID or affirmation to the county election bureau to have their ballot count.
Those without photo ID may be entitled to a free one for voting purposes through a state Department of Transportation Driver License Center. For more information, visit www.VotesPA.com or call 877-VotesPA (877-868-3772). There is also information on how to vote if there is a religious exemption to having a photo taken.