Pennsylvania state Rep. Mike Turzai, R-Allegheny, is putting the national election spotlight back on his home state. PoliticsPA.com quoted Turzai when he said a new voter ID law in Pennsylvania could help Mitt Romney win the state.
* At a meeting of the Republican State Committee on Saturday, Turzai outlined how Republicans have dealt with issues important to Pennsylvania. He claimed the GOP is "focused on making sure" obligations over the past several years are met.
* Turzai then listed the Castle Doctrine law, pro-life regulations and a new voter ID law as items Republicans have worked on to pass in Pennsylvania. The House Majority Leader then said the voter ID law "is gonna allow Gov. Romney to win the state of Pennsylvania."
* The law goes into effect in the general election. All voters must show a photo ID at the polls before they are allowed to vote.
* If voters do not have an ID, they are entitled to one for free at a Pennsylvania Department of Transportation Driver License Center. Otherwise, voters can cast a provisional ballot and have six days to get a photo ID after the election.
* The New York Times reports some colleges and universities in Pennsylvania will have to make changes to student IDs to allow some students to vote. Democrats allege the changes would make it harder for younger voters and minorities to cast ballots.
* Mark Nicastre told PoliticsPA.com claims the state's GOP agenda "simply helps their donors and political allies. ... Democrats are focused on protecting Pennsylvanians' right to vote."
* Turzai alleges voter fraud has occurred in Pennsylvania in the past. Turzai spokesman Stephen Miskin also told PoliticsPA.com "the Republican presidential candidate will be on a more even keel thanks to voter ID."
William Browning is a research librarian specializing in U.S. politics. Born in St. Louis, Browning is active in local politics and served as a campaign volunteer for President Barack Obama and Missouri Sen. Claire McCaskill.
