Plan to vote in primary? Be sure to bring photo ID

More people are needed to work at the polls.
MERCER, Pa. -- Voters, especially first-timers, should be prepared to show a photo ID when they vote in the April 27 primary election.
Elections Director Jim Bennington said Thursday that because of the "Florida fiasco" in the last presidential election, new Pennsylvania Department of State rules will be in effect that will cost the county an additional $3,000 or $4,000 per election.
He said the law change came about because many in the Florida election tried to vote in several different precincts, and others tried to vote without being registered. To avoid such problems here, photo identification must be presented on request.
Another change resulting from the Florida situation is that "provisional ballots" must be provided for voters whose eligibility is in question. Those not on the list of registered voters must be given a paper ballot. That voter's eligibility will be determined after the election and votes added to the tally if they were, indeed, eligible. If they were eligible but voted at the wrong precinct, votes will also be tallied.
Adding to cost
The cost of providing the paper ballots, finding a private place for voters to mark them, then having the employee hours to look up voters whose eligibility is in question, will drive up the cost of each election, Bennington said.
He added that before the new law, voters showing up at the wrong precinct were turned away.
Election law requires voters to register 30 days before an election.
Bennington talked about the new rules when he gave Mercer County commissioners his regular report when the county elections board met Thursday.
He said he needs more poll workers and those interested should contact the elections office at the courthouse, (724) 662-3800.
For the first time, he said, high school seniors who are at least 17 years old are allowed to work as clerks and machine operators for elections. Commissioner Brian Beader said this might get students interested in the political process.