York County News

The 2024 General Election is scheduled for Tuesday, Nov. 5. First-time voters will need to show their ID to cast a ballot for various positions, including president and vice president; members of the U.S. House and Senate; state House and state Senate (in odd-numbered senatorial districts); and state row offices such as attorney general, auditor general, and treasurer.

State Rep. Kate Klunk (R-Hanover) emphasized the importance of voter identification in her recent statement: "Showing a valid ID is required for all kinds of things, including getting a library card, buying a six-pack, and boarding a flight. In Pennsylvania, the only time you need to show ID to vote is the first time."

According to a 2024 Pew Research Center survey, over 81% of Americans support requiring photo identification to vote. This sentiment is echoed across diverse demographic groups. A Gallup poll from July 2022 indicated that 77% of people of color and 80% of white adults back such requirements. Similarly, a Franklin & Marshall College poll from 2021 revealed that 74% of Pennsylvanians support voter ID laws.

Despite bipartisan support, partisan operating rules in the House have halted progress on voter ID legislation. A voter identification constitutional amendment, House Bill 891, has been stalled in the House State Government Committee for over a year. "House Republicans launched a discharge petition in March as an attempt to advance the measure," said Klunk. However, it has not yet moved forward.

Under current rules, discharge petitions require at least 25 signatures from both Democrats and Republicans to be successful. Klunk stated: "I am proud to be one of the signatures on that petition, but time is running out." If the amendment does not clear this hurdle this year, the General Assembly must restart the process from scratch.

Klunk highlighted election integrity as fundamental for democracy: "By implementing robust verification processes... we can prevent fraud, safeguard legitimate votes, and uphold public trust in our institutions."

She also stressed that every eligible person should have confidence in their right to vote: "They should have no reservations about being potentially misrepresented by a discrepancy in the system."

For those not registered to vote in Pennsylvania yet, the deadline is Monday, Oct. 21. Registration can be done in person at county elections offices or online at www.pavoterservices.pa.gov.

Rep. Kate Klunk's office can provide more information about voting procedures and can be reached at 717-630-8942.