Joseph Desprez, a Philadelphia voter, saw the My Vote, My Right event at PennDOT today and volunteered to be a poll watcher this November. Desprez already had a state-issued voter ID, and wanted to make sure everyone who wants to vote would be able to.

Pennsylvania voters went to the PennDOT office in the Oxford Levick Shopping Center in Philadelphia, Pa., Saturday, Sept. 22, to obtain voter IDs.

Pa. residents who need IDs—thanks to a new state law that disenfranchises hundreds of thousands of Pennsylvania residents, including civic-minded seniors— were assisted by the Pennsylvania AFL-CIO and various community groups. Because of the new law, Pennsylvania state officials say that more than 785,000 voters don’t have a state-issued photo identification.

AFL-CIO Executive Vice President Arlene Holt Baker attended the event along with former San Francisco 49ers player and proud union member, Ron Davis.

In order to get a Pennsylvania state ID, you need to bring:

1 . Social Security card; and
2. Birth certificate with a raised seal, or naturalization certificate, or certificate of U.S. citizenship (such as a current passport); and
3. Two (2) proofs of residency, such as a utility bill, a lease, a taxbill, a land deed
If you previously had a Pennsylvania driver’s license, but it has been expired for more than one year, you still can receive a free photo ID. If you don’t have your birth certificate or Social Security card, you still may apply for a free photo ID for voting purposes only.

For more information on the Pennsylvania voter ID law, call 1-866-OUR-VOTE or visit www.votespa.com.                                                                                                                                              

Last week, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court heard arguments against the state’s voter suppression law that Pennsylvania House Majority Leader Mike Turzai (R) said “is gonna allow [former Massachusetts] Gov. [Mitt] Romney to win the state of Pennsylvania.” A ruling is expected by early October. Last week, the Philadelphia Inquirer reports the state Supreme Court has ordered that the law be returned to a lower court for a speedy hearing on how the state is implementing it to ensure all voters have access to appropriate state-issued photo identification.

Thirty-four states introduced voter ID requirements that would effectively disenfranchise more than 21 million eligible voters who don’t have the required IDs—mostly people of color, low-income voters, students, seniors and people with disabilities.

The AFL-CIO My Vote, My Right website offers hands-on information on voter registration, voter ID laws and steps to take to protect your right to vote on Election Day. Find out what you need to know to make sure your vote counts this year. Get information on voter registration, your voting rights by state and more at the AFL-CIO’s MyVoteMyRight.org.

Have questions about your voting rights? Call 866-Our-Vote (866-687-8683).