Erie County Times

Rep. Jake Banta (R-Erie) issued a statement on July 2, 2024, criticizing House Democrats for blocking an amendment aimed at expanding voter identification laws in Pennsylvania. The amendment was proposed during a House State Government Committee meeting and sought to align the state's election procedures with the federal Electoral Count Reform Act of 2022.

Banta's amendment to House Bill 2473 would have required all voters to present identification before casting their votes, ensuring that the Secretary of the Commonwealth could not certify election results without this verification.

"My amendment is a simple measure we can take to ensure elections across the Commonwealth are being conducted in good faith," Banta stated. "We show identification in every aspect of our lives, from boarding an airplane to applying for government documentation. Confirming one’s identity is an essential part of our lives."

He emphasized that requiring voter ID is crucial for achieving bipartisan election reform and securing the electoral process. "If House Bill 2473 is intended to ensure election finality, an amendment requiring identification is a necessity to truly complete the bill," he added.

Banta pointed out that thirty-six states currently require some form of voter identification and cited Pew Research Center data indicating that 81% of Americans support such measures. He argued that enacting voter ID laws would help restore faith in Pennsylvania's electoral system ahead of the upcoming presidential election.

"With the 2024 presidential election on the horizon, Pennsylvania’s Democrats are standing in the way of finally delivering a fair and secure contest," Banta concluded. "The world’s eyes will be upon our Commonwealth. Enacting voter ID laws is the only way to ensure we get our results right."

Representative Jake Banta

4th Legislative District

Pennsylvania House of Representatives