Karla Williams, PA

Pennsylvania resident Karla Williams encountered a series of voter suppression and intimidation techniques at the Delaware County Bureau of Voter Registration Office in Media, PN.  

The local election worker began by asking Ms. Williams for identification.  She immediately produced a voter registration card issued by the State of Pennsylvania and a photo ID from the state of Georgia.  Unsatisfied, the election official demanded further proof in the form of a bill mailed to Ms. William’s Pennsylvania address.  Fortunately, Ms. Williams, who doubtless arrived prepared for any contingency, handed over a cell phone bill.  Without that bill she would not have been able to vote.

According to The Pennsylvania Department of State's online voting information and resource center (http://www.votespa.com/Home/tabid/36/language/en-US/Default.aspx), Ms. Williams should have been able to vote by merely producing the voter registration card issued to her by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.  In addition, the cell phone bill would also independently serve as a sufficient form of identification.  The website link above will take interested parties to the list of approved forms of identification in Pennsylvania.

Karla Williams is an educated, savvy voter who anticipated potential difficulty and refused to flinch when confronted by unreasonable and illegitimate requests.  Though the suppression may seem mild, had she not brought a cell phone bill her vote would not have counted.  Voters should follow her model of preparation and tenacity.

For more information on this story, please call (202)518-6186.