Crawford Times

Mar. 25, 2024 - HARRISBURG – House Republicans in Pennsylvania have announced their intention to advance a voter identification constitutional amendment using the discharge resolution process, following a year of the measure being stagnant in committee despite bipartisan support.

House Republican Leader Bryan Cutler emphasized the widespread bipartisan backing for voter ID requirements, stating, "For nearly a year, this legislation has sat in committee. And that is despite poll after poll after poll telling us that requiring identification to vote at each and every election is supported on a broad, bipartisan basis."

House Republican State Government Committee Chairman Brad Roae highlighted the inconsistency in ID requirements, saying, "You need photo identification to sign up for a library card or apply for a marriage license, but not to vote in Pennsylvania."

The co-prime sponsors of the voter identification constitutional amendment, Rep. Torren Ecker and Rep. Thomas Kutz, stressed the importance of addressing election integrity. Ecker noted the significant bipartisan support for enhanced voter identification, stating, "Pennsylvanians overwhelming support enhanced voter identification. As a result, this legislation deserves a vote by the House." Similarly, Kutz emphasized the need for simple election integrity measures, like Voter ID, to protect the security of future elections.

The move to utilize the discharge resolution process to advance the voter ID constitutional amendment aims to break the legislative deadlock. The resolution will be formally introduced in the House chamber later on Monday.

The push for the voter ID constitutional amendment reflects the ongoing efforts by Pennsylvania House Republicans to enhance election integrity and ensure secure voting processes.

Republican Leader Bryan Cutler, representing the 100th Legislative District in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, underscored the urgency of the situation, stating, "Time is of the essence."