Voter ID requested, not required at polls today

(Harrisburg) — Voters heading to the polls for today’s primary election will be asked – but not required – to show photo ID.

The Department of State says this is the third-straight election where the identification has been requested, but not needed.

A court case to decide whether it will be fully implemented is scheduled for July.

State Department Spokesman Ron Ruman says voters are being encouraged to make their choices in local races on today’s ballot.

“Very often, these folks at the local level impact your life more than the people in Harrisburg or Washington,” Ruman says. “They’re the ones who decide what your property tax rates are, when the garbage gets picked up, whether the streets get plowed, what kind of fire and police protection you have, what the curriculum is in your schools, what your school taxes are.”

Ruman says first-time voters and people voting for the first time at a new precinct will have to show ID, in accordance with a law that’s more than a decade old.

He says acceptable IDs include driver’s licenses or utility bills with addresses.

Voters will choose candidates in races like Harrisburg Mayor, and a special election for the 95th state House district in York County.

The polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.