Why Getting Voter ID Might Become Much Harder Than Voting

In the recent trial over the constitutionality of Pennsylvania's new voter identification law, which is slated to wrap up this week, lawyers for an array of civil rights groups have argued the law makes voting substantially harder for many, including low-income people who lack easy access to transportation.

Pennsylvanians can cast their votes in 9,300 polling places, they noted in court. Yet there are only 73 offices across the state where voters can obtain the official ID needed to cast a ballot under the new law. Someone who votes a block away from home could have to drive miles to participate in the next election, they say.

State officials say the law is needed to combat fraud, but have not cited an example of the kind of fraud the law is meant to prevent.