This is going to be a real "hit and run diary," as I only have a few minutes left on my lunch hour.
I started a Facebook group called "Stop the PA Voter ID Bill. It now has 76 members.
I was shocked to read about the story of an 89 year-old grandmother escorted to the DMV by her daughter to ensure she had a valid voter ID card. It took her FOUR HOURS to get the ID! Wait until it gets closer to the elections.
I have posted the Facebook thread on this. I will try to comment when I get off work.
So I went to get my photo ID today. Left at 2:00; got back at 6:30. I had my 89-year-old Mother with me to make things even more intense. We got there and got our numbers - 230 and 231.
We went to sit down. They were on 151. Yes, 151; 230/231. The place was packed. After waiting for an hour with not much happening (I think they were on about 170 by then) I went to make sure we had the right numbers. Yes, you'll just have to wait a little while. We finally got called up at about 4:45. I had my whole life in an envelope - birth certificate, divorce decree, bills, SS Card, etc.
The woman didn't even ask me for ID. She said, "You have an expired driver's license so we're just going to use that picture," and she sent me to the next window where they handed me my new ID card. All in all, except for the everlasting waiting, it wasn't that bad, but I'm happy it's over.
I still wanted to take that picture of Corbett off the wall the throw it out the window. But, hey, I'm legal now.
Rich Kissel Thanks for sharing Lana! Excellent!
Tuesday at 7:05pm · Like · 1
Maria Guzzo wow! that's a long wait! which one did you go to? i know the license center in new ken/lower burrell probably was swamped because the local elks club had a special event to transport people there today/tuesday.
Tuesday at 8:26pm · Like
Lana M. Gavin This was out in Media, Delaware County. I think every single seat was taken up at some point. It was a nightmare. But at least it's done now.
Tuesday at 8:27pm · Like
Maria Guzzo all the way across the state! helloooo! glad it turned out ok!
Tuesday at 8:29pm · Like · 1
Jon Chase Welcome to the land of unintended consequences. Like every threatened holder of power, they're trying to keep their fingers in the dyke with these suppression tactics. But they've awakened a monster; the dam of popular discontent is about to break. And they will be washed away.
Tuesday at 8:47pm · Like · 2
Rita Rosen Poley Lana, what office did you go to. Thanks for sharing your experience. It is sobering.
Tuesday at 9:20pm · Like
Lana M. Gavin Rita, I went to the Media, Delaware County DOT. It was amazing how many people were there on a Tuesday afternoon. I thought it would be empty. Wrong again! I felt like leaving, but my Mom and I stuck it out and did what we set out to do.
Tuesday at 9:27pm · Like · 1
Sandra Carroll four hours!!! you are a trooper. This is the real suppression happening right now; how many seniors and disabled, and economically disadvantaged have FOUR HOURS available during business hours to sit in a PennDoT office? Not a lot.
Tuesday at 10:46pm · Like
Sandra Carroll You are my hero Lana.
Tuesday at 10:46pm · Like · 1
Lana M. Gavin Oh Sandra, thanks for that, but it was my and my Mom's sheer stubbornness and anger that made us stay. We were bound and determined we wouldn't let anyone take away our right to vote, no matter what! Chalk up two for Obama - 2012!!!!!!!!!
Tuesday at 10:49pm · Like · 2
Jim Lyons Thanks for sharing that! Mind if I report this elsewhere? I am thinking specifically of Daily Kos! Let me know. God bless your mother!
21 hours ago · Like · 1
Lana M. Gavin Jim Lyons, of course. I want everyone to know they can do it! Thank you so much.
19 hours ago · Like · 1
Sandra Carroll Lana, I am so afraid for some of the other seniors and those with disabilities who WON'T be able to sustain four hours. And if it's FOUR hours now, just imagine what it's going to be in a month from now. This is why I was so disgusted with the Judge. The injunction should have been granted on the basis of simple mathematics. Even if the numbers are one third as much as the predicted amount of voters without ID per PennDoT's own statistics, hell, even if it's one FOURTH, that means over a 100 extra people per day at every PennDoT licensing center, which are the only places you can get the ID's. The Judge said he was convinced the state was making good faith efforts to get everyone who needs it an ID. It's mathematically impossible. And he's ok with your elderly mother waiting four hours? I was horribly disappointed with him.
19 hours ago · Like
Lana M. Gavin Sandra, they don't even think of that stuff. They just don't care. All they want is to vote out Pres. Obama in any way they can. That's what made us so determined to stay and get our IDs. I even asked her if she wanted my daughter to take her home and she would have no part of that. We would just think of having those people in the White House and continued to be even more determined than before.
19 hours ago · Like · 1
Patricia Munoz so glad good folks are getting this done.
16 hours ago · Like · 1
1:38 PM PT: Lana Gavin says the actual time for waiting at the DMV was 2 hours and 15 minutes. Added 4 new members to the FB group after the diary was recommended!