Pennsylvania is taking steps to make sure your vote counts -- but only once.

New federal regulations require first-time voters to provide proof of identity when registering and when visiting the polls with either a driver's license number or the last four digits of a Social Security number.

"It's just to make sure you are who you say you are," said Wanda Hockenberry, assistant director at the Centre County Elections office.

Hockenberry said that without these provisions someone could register in more than one county and have two votes.

"You cannot be registered in more than one county," she said.

Eric Plutzer, professor of sociology and political science, said that preventing duplicate voting was not the issue that was being combated.

"The biggest problem is taking someone's place and voting twice," he said. "They claim to be you and vote again."

Plutzer said the 2000 presidential elections caused many states to take on similar provisions and said it could affect the number of young people registering for upcoming elections.

"It's an inconvenience that could affect tens of thousands," he said. "It's just one more thing for first-time voters to worry about."

Hockenberry said voters would only have to show proof of identity the first time at the polls and any subsequent visit will not necessitate proof.

"The poll workers note it, and you won't have to show it again," she said.

Hockenberry added although the new provisions officially take effect this month, applications already submitted without proper identification would not be rejected.

"It's only the first time that you vote in the county," she said. "It is required now, but for the time being the application will go through."

Spokeswoman for the League of Women Voters (LWV) Lydia Vandenbergh said LWV helped register students for the 2004 presidential elections in conjunction with P.S. U Vote, which has since disbanded, but would continue to help students register to vote for the upcoming elections this year.

Although there are no definite plans, the LWV is looking to work with "some organization to help register students."

Vandenberth said Penn State's decision to stop using Social Security numbers on student identification cards could be preventing voter fraud.

However, fraud is still a problem in the state, she said.

"There were three counties [in Pennsylvania] that had problems in the 2004 election," she said.

Plutzer said immigrants would be the most affected by the new provisions because of the ordeals in gaining citizenship, but it is unlikely a citizen would be without either form of identification.

"The question is if it's in your wallet," he said. "Most people don't carry around a Social Security card."