HARRISBURG – Senator Kristin Phillips-Hill (R-York) supported a proposed constitutional amendment that would ask the voters to weigh in on a voter identification requirement in order to vote during a Senate State Government Committee meeting on Tuesday.
“To date, I continue to hear from local residents who wish to see a voter identification law enacted,” said Phillips-Hill, who is a member of the Senate State Government Committee. “A proposed constitutional amendment would let every voter in this Commonwealth have the opportunity to weigh in on this issue. By advancing this measure out of committee today, we are one step closer to giving the people of Pennsylvania the ultimate say.”
Senate Bill 735 proposes to amend Article VII, in accordance with Article XI, of the state Constitution by requiring voters to present valid identification before receiving a ballot to vote in person. The proposed constitutional amendment would also require those voting by mail or absentee ballots to provide a copy of a valid identification. The legislature would be required to list valid forms of identification(s) necessary to comply with the state Constitution.
For the state Constitution to be amended, the General Assembly must pass the same resolution in two consecutive legislative sessions. The question would then be posed to voters.
The earliest this could appear on an election ballot would be the Municipal Primary Election in 2023.
The legislation advances to the full Senate for further consideration.