Gov. Ed Rendell announced Monday that he plans to veto a bill requiring voters to show a form of identification at the polls.

"It places unnecessary new burden on electors that will result in some losing their right to vote," Rendell said through a press release posted on his Web site. "And I will do all I can to make sure that actions like this can not happen on my watch."

Bill 1318 is currently in the state House of Representatives and will be passed on to the governor's desk soon, Rendell spokeswoman Kate Philips said.

"The concern over the legislation is that it will disenfranchise certain groups. For example, people living in nursing homes do not always bring their identification when they go to vote," Philips said. "Just because someone does not have identification does not mean that people should not vote."

Philips also said the bill would further decrease the already-low voter participation.

"It does not surprise me that the governor is threatening to veto the bill," G.T. Thompson, Centre County Republican Committee chairman, said. "It threatens to manipulate the vote in the Philadelphia area -- Rendell's home base."

Thompson said he believes the bill would have provided an important safeguard and system of checks and balances the voting system needed.

"It will prevent the corruption we see today," Thompson said.

Many people go to several different precincts and vote, causing an unfair advantage at the polls, he added.

Tim Boyde, Centre County administrator, said he understands the emphasis on the bill to ensure the right people are voting, but he also noted that Centre County does not have a problem with voter fraud.

"Most precinct boards know their voters or they will get to know each other here in Centre County," said Wanda Hockenberry, assistant director at the Centre County Elections office. "Some of these people have worked 30 to 40 years. They know their people; they know their neighbors."

Bob Shepherd, Centre County Democratic Committee chairman, said he agrees with Rendell and hopes the veto is upheld.

"It is clearly intended to reduce the popular vote ... it is just an additional barrier to voting," Shepherd said. "Some people do not have the proper identification to show. It is a nuisance."

Lynn Swann, who plans to run against Rendell in the upcoming elections, expressed his concerns about Rendell vetoing the bill in a press release.

"It is unfortunate that the governor has chosen to use this issue as one that will divide Pennsylvanians," Swann said in the press release. "Protecting the integrity of the process should be of the utmost importance to our governor."

Swann also said that he does not agree that the bill will disenfranchise voters.

"The idea that presenting a form of identification would somehow disenfranchise people is as ridiculous as it is untrue. The reality is voters are disenfranchised every time a fraudulent vote is cast," Swann said through the press release. "Thanks to Ed Rendell's veto, this disenfranchisement will continue."