| Judge Upholds Pennsylvania Voter ID Law |
| Aug-15-2012 |
| Keywords: pennsylvania, voter id, law, judge, uphold, |
Much to the consternation of the Obama administration, Pennsylvania residents will have to show their photo IDs before casting their ballots in this year's presidential elections.
A Pennsylvania judge on Wednesday refused to issue an injunction that would have prevented a tough new voter identification law from going into effect.
Democrats complained that the law will suppress votes among President Barack Obama's supporters, a similar argument the administration's used against voter ID laws in other states like Texas.
The battle isn't over just yet though; opponents are expected to file an appeal within a day or two to the state Supreme Court as the Nov. 6 presidential election looms.
However, for now state officials are claiming victory. Gov. Tom Corbett responded to the court ruling: ""Now that the court has upheld the constitutionality of the law, we can continue to focus our attention on ensuring that every Pennsylvania citizen who wants to vote has the identification necessary to make sure their vote counts.''
Secretary of the Commonwealth Carol Aichele, whose department oversees elections in Pennsylvania, also issued a statement: "I am pleased Judge Simpson affirmed the constitutionality of the voter ID law. This law will reinforce the principle of one person, one vote. By giving us a reliable way to verify the identity of each voter, the voter ID law will enhance confidence in our elections.
"We will continue our outreach efforts to make sure all legal Pennsylvania voters know about the law, and know how to get a free ID to vote if needed."
The Republican written law is getting much attention because Pennsylvania is expected to play a key role in deciding the presidential contest in November.
Republicans defend the law as necessary to protect the integrity of the election. But Democrats say the law will make it harder for the elderly, minorities, the poor and college students to vote.
"We're not done. It's not over," said Witold J. Walczak, an American Civil Liberties Union lawyer who helped argue the case for the plaintiffs. "It's why they make appeals courts."
Votes by four of six Supreme Court justices would be needed to overturn the ruling by Simpson, who is a Republican. But the high court is currently split between three Republicans and three Democrats following the recent suspension of Justice Joan Orie Melvin, a Republican who is fighting criminal corruption charges.
Meanwhile, Obama's Department of Justice is looking at whether Pennsylvania's tough new voter law requiring photo identification complies with federal laws and on Monday asked the state's top election official and a chief supporter of the law for a long list of information about it. |
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Posted by Lou Dobbs Staff at 6:00 PM Email to a friend |
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