In an emergency alert sent to voters this morning over social media, radio PSAs, email and phone calls, the Election Protection Coalition told Pennsylvania voters:

Today is Election Day. Vote. You do not need a photo ID in order to vote in Pennsylvania if you have voted before. First-time voters will need to show some form of ID, photo or non-photo. Call 1-866-OUR-VOTE (1-866-687-8683) if you have any questions or concerns.

The emergency alert was sent out in response to reports that voters had received a mailing from the Pennsylvania Department of State, which wrongfully instructed voters to bring photo ID to the polls. Reports of the mailing have appeared in PoliticsPA.  

Despite the fact that Pennsylvania voters are NOT required to show photo ID in order to vote, these inaccurate mailers come in addition to radio ads and billboards placed in Hispanic areas wrongly telling voters that "If you have [a photo ID], SHOW IT."  

AFL-CIO Executive VicePresident Arlene Holt Baker says:

We are hearing reports from Pennsylvania that voters continue to receive misinformation about voter ID in Pennsylvania.  Voters do not need photo ID to vote in this election and those who don’t have photo ID shouldn’t be turned away.  First time voters will need to show some form of identification but a photo is not required.  In the greatest democracy in the world we should be ensuring that everyone has access to the polls regardless of where they live or who they are voting for.  We will continue to monitor these issues throughout the day and work to inform voters of how they can protect their vote. 

Although the Pennsylvania state legislature passed a law requiring photo ID for voting, the courts have ruled that the provision would not apply for the Nov. 6, 2012, election. First-time voters will need to show some form of ID, photo or non-photo.

Barry Kauffman, executive director of Common Cause Pennsylvania, a member group of the Election Protection Coalition, said:

Voters in Pennsylvania can stand up and have their say today. No photo ID is needed at the polls. If voters receive a message from the Department of State today telling them they need a photo ID to vote, they need to throw it away. It is an outdated message that was sent before the judge ruled against the law. Voters in Pennsylvania are free to cast their ballots as they always have. No photo ID is required.   

The only exception is first-time voters who registered by mail; and they can show any of a variety of documents, including non-photo-ID such as a current utility bill, that shows their name and current address.

The Election Protection Coalition urges all voters to call 1-866-OUR-VOTE (1-866-687-8683) if they have questions or there is confusion at the polls. The hotline is staffed by trained legal volunteers. Spanish-speaking voters can call 1-888-Ve-Y-Vota (1-888-839-8682) to report issues as well.