Sorry that whole "checks and balances" thing gets in the way of your democracy. Oh...wait...

Welcome back to the USSR

YES EXACTLY. BECAUSE THE USSR HAD A SERIES OF CHECKS AND BALANCES AS WELL AS A DEMOCRATICALLY ELECTED SYSTEM OF GOVERNMENT. I'M GLAD I SO TOTALLY LEARNED THAT IN HISTORY CLASS.

Because this democratically elected legislature is trying to make sure the next election isn't democratic. Its called checks and balances. The right continues to pretend to defend the Constitution while trying to undermine it.

forget democracy - what we have is a oligarchy - rule by the upper classes - thanks to Citizens United. Actually, I am all for voter registration - one can't actually have a democracy without a good census. On the other hand, voter ID should be something everyone (remember them?) has access to. State driver's licencing is not easily found in urban centers. Once we determine this, we need to have people vote anywhere and it being electronically counted in their local district.

Activist judge legislating from the bench and passing the buck. Why have lawmaking bodies representing the majority, but then give final authority to single individuals with their own personal biases? Smart people break issues down into their simplest facts: We must show photo ID to TSA in airports; we show photo ID to get into government buildings and courts. What is the difference with showing photo ID to perform this, most basic interaction with our government? If you are qualified to vote, prove it. If you aren't, go get qualified. The arguments about immobile elderly who cannot obtain a photo ID are false. If a person is elderly and previously registered to vote, she can submit an absentee ballot application with the last four digits of her SS#, and still vote. If someone reached advanced age and now decides to start voting, never before registered, he can do so now, or after, this Election. Meanwhile thanks to Judge Simpson, we can count on another round of students voting both in their college towns and back here in Perk Valley, and other voter fraud I see here every Election. Some here suggest that this law is political. I disagree. This law is practical and overdue. This law passed months ago and provided plenty of time to take effect. Today's decision, to use the words of the law's sponsor, is "skewed in favor of the lazy who refuse to exercise the necessary work ethic to meet the commonsense requirements to obtain an acceptable photo ID." Amen.

Those aren't remotely the simplest facts.

What dictatorship? And our democracy isn't that the majority takes all, our democracy is that we protect the rights of minorities as well -- otherwise, CA would have a lot more Senators than WY.
And keep in mind -- there was no voter fraud that was presented to the Court -- no prosecution of voter fraud presented to the Court.
And I don't recall Corbett running on changing the voter registration laws.

The USSR had a democratically elected system of government - you learned this where, Moscow U? That statement wins 2012's "Most Ridiculous Comment" award. I don't mean to be rude but seriously. It's not even worth trying to enlighten you. Best of luck, God bless you.

"Republican House Majority Leader Mike Turzai made waves in June when he said at the Republican State Committee meeting that the voter ID law “is going to allow Governor Romney to win the state of Pennsylvania.”

That right there alone is enough reason to be suspicious of the law. Regardless of which side may say it, something like that is a HUGE red flag

Marc.....well said. I am all for voter photo ID. BUT....lets put it in place correctly. I am really surprised that the Republican caucus didn't offer to pay $4M dollars out of the $100M their private bank is sitting on in taxpayer money to cover the costs of implementing this thrown together plan. THAT would have been worse than the obvious Mike Turzai comment that blew this thing up in the Republicans face.

Yes, thank you for leaving a common sense response.

Exactly. I'm not against voter ID, I am against any law that is put in place for political gain. Putting off this decision until after the November election allows for a rational discussion of the issue including whether or not voter fraud is even an issue in Pennsylvania.

I agree with you all of you and is how I have felt all along ... just seemed to be such a rush to push this through. It will take more than a few months to get all of this together.

Excellent, well thought out comments here under Marc's post.

I couldn't agree more. A voter ID law in principle has some merit, but this iteration was a rush job voted in strictly based on party for a stated goal of potentially "engineering" the upcoming presidential election. It essence it was designed to do exactly what it was supposed to prevent in "qualifying" voters.
I am no authority on the law, but it seems to me just the expiration date requirement is a problem for some voters such as the elderly that may have had a PA photo driver's license, but it's expired because they no longer drive. There also are other photo ID's like Bucks' new Veteran ID card. Has a photo but no expiration date. Why can't it be accepted? Sorry, this law was too narrow and not well-thought-out from the get-go, and was right to be enjoined by the Judge. Take the time, get it right and then there will be no problem with it.

"Oh yea! I remember hearing about the black panthers patrolling streets with billy clubs on all the legitimate news services" said no rational person ever.

I think I know your agenda. Perhaps you can write about about "your struggle", and work to find some sort of "final solution" to deal with the voting issues. Hmmm?

Kettle... meet pot http://www.berthoudrecorder.com/2012/10/02/gop-election-fraud-scandal-widens/

BOTH of those Panthers really scared off the white vote .... in a DEMOCRATIC DISTRICT...where they were voting for OBAMA !!

What are you talking about? This is not President Obama's doing. Get your facts straight. This is from the Republican side.

Either way, this law can be implemented later. Tough luck, Righties! Guess your voter suppression tactic won't work in PA.

OBAMA/BIDEN all.the.way.

Are you saying it's a disaster because more black people will be allowed to vote? The fact that you acknowledge the racism in this law and still support it is a little shameful.

Yeah, (NOT) The Dead will vote Democratic again

Mary, Your right I saw the actual pictures and followed the story right up until the AG, Obama's AG refused to press charges...seems to me that we have one set of rules where certain folks pick which will be enforced !!

I told you so...Sorry to gloat but it's the right thing to do...This is all concocted by Republicans to try to win elections in a sleazy way...Five swing States, NV, CO, VA, NC, FL cancelled their registration process when it was discovered that it was another GOP shenanigans to disenfranchise Democratic voters...This ugly tactic was supposed to disallow all registrants who say they are for Obama...These guys don't play nice...Good thing they were exposed and told to pack up...Lordy, what will they think of next.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=neGbKHyGuHU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9z8MAAG9EYk

Mary, did those guys not have a valid Photo ID? Or is that a completely different issue?

Mary, as usual, you're repeating propaganda gibberish from John Birch blogs that has absolutely no basis in fact.

Obama has been working to make it easier for the armed forces to vote. The Romney campaign and the GOP has tried to make it more difficult by filing suit to block new laws expanding voting access for troops serving our country. Fortunately, the Romney/GOP attempt was defeated in Ohio.

Because cross-referencing their stated name and address with the local registration lists has worked for decades, with virtually no indication that in-person voter fraud was happening, and that this law's rush to implementation was going to lose more legitimate votes than it was going to prevent fraudulent ones? I'm fine with Voter ID being required down the road, but let's make sure everybody's got one first.

WAAAAAH. Want some whine with your cheese?

While we're at it, we should pass a law that disallows Martians from voting. Sure, it's not a problem, but what if, some day, it might possibly become one. We should definitely pass a law right now. Even if it DOES harm the abilities of some actual Americans to vote.

The ruling was issued by a Republican judge.

Liberal-biased judiciary! There you go again Coach! Judge Robert Simpson is a Republican.

Stan...I hear that all the time: we need ID for everything. BUT...how many of those that ask for photo ID have the LEGAL authority to do so? Very few. Most times it is procedure or policy...not a legal requirement. I always challenge those that ask me for a photo ID and less than 10% have held their ground where I absolutely had to produce it (hunting and fishing license, alcohol, as examples. Most times my simple verbal address confirmation suits their needs. Handing over your photo ID is one step below giving out your SS number in todays world. By allowing someone to copy your photo ID you are handing over your birth date, your physical address, your middle name, your organ donor status, etc. What if that info got into the wrong hands from someone at a bank, for example, that also had access to know that you had a large amount of money? Hope you have an alarm system installed in your home. And a gun. Don't be giving in to those that ask...do you have identification?....your response should be why do you need it? and...can I give you my home address as ID? You would be surprised how many times not handing over your photo ID will NOT be required when the requester is challenged.

Not only that, but you have to have a perfect, unexpired, current address the same, same last name (even if you changed it for marriage) ID. That rules out a lot of students whose IDs expire, women who get their name changed after marriage, and seniors whose licenses expired. What a coincidence, the democratic base!

Did you show a photo ID before you wrote that comment here? Of course not. Free speech is a constitutional right. Do you show a photo ID before you pray or go to church? Of course not. Freedom of religion is a constitutional right.

We do not need a photo ID to exercise any of our constitutional rights, including voting.

Yes we need ID for all most everything, but He did the right thing by makiing them wait. It is so much Identity Theft out there, because half of the time people do not even look at the ID. How many people in the Gov. show ID for anything, so the law would not have been for the Gov., are anyone that can sign to make a change in the law.

Like!

So God would help those vote for a President who believe that killing the unborn is birth control? I heard him say with my own ears at a Planned Parenthood fundraiser that he would not want his daughter punished by having a child. He is not Godly. If you cannot protect the unborn who are innocent, then you have no right trying to protect the rest of us. Yes, the wars under Bush ....well guess what, every single one of those men and women signed up for the paycheck to serve and defend. They chose it. Ask them who they would prefer to serve under. I would bet it would be overwhelminingly (though not 100%) Republicans. I would NEVER vote for a Republican who was not against abortion either. So, Divine....I doubt it....more like MONEY came through from the right person.

Did the killed Iraqi and Afghani civilians 'sign up for it' any more than the people in the World Trade Center? When does innocence begin and end?

@ anonymous, Active duty military has spoken loud and clear and already voted with their pocketbooks. The candidate who has raised the most money from active duty military personal, more than double the amount raised by all other candidates combined, was and is Dr Ron Paul, the Peace candidate. Speaks volumes.

No voter fraud? How do you think Obama was elected. Does anyone remember ACORN?

Daniel, please please tell me what ACORN did and how they committed voter fraud?

No Daniel, I don't remember. How about refresh our collective memory and cite some verifiable news sources? I'll be waiting patiently.

I like how this guys talks about Obama stealing the election. Does he not remember the two Bush stolen elections? Hanging chads and all that?

Only an attempt to weed out Illegals and folks with 10 Welfare ID's

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2010/11/26/acorn-workers-convicted-admitted-guilt-election-fraud/

Amy, the story you cite has to do with voter REGISTRATION fraud; not VOTER fraud. There is a huge difference. No one is elected to office by having a lot of people registered to vote.

ED ROPER this cup of kool aid is for you. http://www.rottenacorn.com/activityMap.html

Prove it!

Kaari, please prove your statement.

Really? Like who? Can you substantiate your comment with a fact? Would love to know who is on that list. Peace.

Kaarl the attorney generals office of PA stipulated in a court filing they had no evidence of voter fraud in PA or anywhere nationally that this law would address. You need facts to make claims, not old right wing wives tales.

http://archives.citypaper.net/articles/101295/article009.shtml

I know it's a real shame. Those 2 or 3 dead people who vote in the election. How many people do you really think go through all that extra effort to cast a measly one extra vote? People have better things to do with their time, as evidenced by the low voter turnout rate.

Wallst pay attention and maybe you will learn something! 1. “A judge ruled” keep passing it around till someone rules on it? 2. Yea that’s democracy alright. 3. Another empty chair. 4. As always, you libs ignore reality, facts, and truth, and you constantly lie to yourself and others. No rational person would vote in this election for the liberal, leftist, socialist, communist man child. 5. No worries I see a red state in November. 6. Sad to say I’m a 60's registered democrat? Go figure.

RW62, I'm a liberal/progressive and I'm very proud to be one. All the great men in history were liberals: Madison, Jefferson, Hamilton, Jay, Lincoln, Washington, Franklin, Roosevelt, Teddy R (Progressive), Kennedy, Johnson, Clinton, Obama, Clinton (2016). We are voting and the Dems will carry PA by 12 points. As a result, when you get sick due to your age, you will have healthcare and social security. So, please remember to thank us for saving you from your own stupidity.

Bill,
It was an outside firm hired by the GOP and just as quickly fired by them when they learned of the crime.

That's not the case Ronnie. The firm in question had a long history of dubious practices. It was well documented.

sounds like the type of fraud that could be countered bt a voter id law when these voters show up

PennDot didn't have free IDs for voting available until August 31, 2012 - they've only been available for 62 days. Voting is the most important thing you can do as a citizen, and we've successfully done it, give or take, for centuries without requiring an ID. If we're going to make that change, let's take the time to roll it out properly.

Morgan...well said. I would think this time next year when we've had a year to outfit every eligible and legal voter with the proper ID...half these comments would not be here. Mine wouldn't.

You state that "we need I.D. for everything we do these days."
Everything? Really? I think that is a bit of a stretch.

Where is your *proof* of your comment? Where is the lists showing those people who committed fraud? Where is it?
Nowhere - that's where.
Peace

Margaret....you only need to provide a photo ID as is required by law. Purchase of alcohol when requested, purchase of PA hunting or fishing license to prove residency, when stopped by a police officer upon command, etc. are such examples. I don't ever remember seeing a law written that says I have to show my photo ID to my doctor as a requirement for being seen. That is for their convenience. There is a difference between law and policy. People are so use to handing over ANY ID upon request and because of this it will be the next scam downfall in this country. Crooks love to know where you live and your age. It makes it much easier to rob your home when you are away. Stop being a sheeple and stand up for yourself. NO ONE has the right to see your photo ID UNLESS required by law. Not by THEIR policy. LAW. Period.

I think it's safe to say if you ask any college student if they did that, 99.9% would say "NO" and be telling the truth. Divine intervention's already here. Your scammy Republicans are going to have to try to win the election the old fashioned way, based on issues and personality. So basically, you're screwed.

Did you show a photo ID before you wrote that comment here? Of course not. Free speech is a constitutional right. Do you show a photo ID before you pray or go to church? Of course not. Freedom of religion is a constitutional right.

We do not need a photo ID to exercise any of our constitutional rights, including voting.

If you have to provide ID to prove residency for hunting and fishing, why not to vote?

Trish...hunting and fishing is not a Constitutional right by law. It can be taken away for infractions...as can voting in PA (which is a bunch of crap as far as I am concerned but that is another subject). Still...voting is a right that can not be denied to the law abiding legal citizen in PA. And to have to pay to to garner an ID required to vote (and this is still up in the air yet as people have paid to get a copy of their legal birth cert in order to get their voter ID) is akin to a voter tax which was outlawed many years ago. This whole law is a grey area which needs time to settle. THAT is what we are fighting for: time. Do it right or don't so it at all. WHICH is the way that Judge Simpson called his decision. Any doubt...it is wrong. Voting is way to sensitive of an act to be handled like a auto inspection.

@SWT Resident: you do have to be a legal resident and registered to vote in order to exercise your right to vote, true. We should be required to prove our identiy and current address to prove we are still a resident. There is a long list of acceptable ID's available to use as proof, not just a valid driver liscense. The public only heard that it had to be a valid driver's liscense because that was the most difficult to obtain. I am chuckling at all the arguments here. The Dems are accusing us of trying to run this thru before the election in order to change the outcome and the expense that the Republicans went to to fight it. The Dems trying equally as hard to stop it for the same exact reasons and spent money to fight this too. While it is our Constituanal right to vote, that right is for legal residents who are registered. In this day and age, unfortunately, we should be required to prove it.

Charlie...why are the Republicans pushing so hard for this voter ID 3 months before a major election? I don't mind showing my ID to vote by any means. But having it jammed down the throats of what is estimated to be 1M PA voters who have little time to prepare...and with a State Dept. that can't move fast enough and is totally unprepared as many PENNDOT licensing center employees have commented...I don't see the harm in waiting until next year until the entire law is reviewed and vetted into law. No matter who wins the next Presidential election...the 99% taxpayers lose anyway. Its a time issue Charlie. Give people the time to ramp up. Give the state time to do it right. After that...when all eligible legal voters have had their fair chance...ID the he11 out of us. No problem.

Got that right, Marc. Romney is certainly going to lose anyway, and the republicans are going to go into a firestorm of rage as they always do. Republicans are such SORE losers.

Anybody remember the liberal firestorm after the 2000 election? You want to talk about sore losers??? Of course not, the Democrats conveniently overlook that.

Ryan, what should Democrats overlook? The fact that their candidate received more votes than the fellow who was coronated by the Supreme Court? Or, perhaps the fact that the coronated failure of a president so botched national security and was so blinded by ideology that he allowed our money-center, our defense center and our courageous citizens to be attacked and killed by terrorists despite express warnings of that attack one month earlier? Or, perhaps that he then proceeded to lie to the nation and waste precious talent and tressure on a stupid misadventure into a war with a nation that had absolutely nothing to do with 9/11. Or, perhaps that his administration and party then embarked on a "go to the mall" spending spree and ownership society that encouraged debt and turned a suplus into an $11 trillion debt and the worst financial crisis since 1929? Or, perhaps that this same discredited philosophy and thinking is precisely what the GOP's current nominee believes. Yes, if we overlook all those facts, then we too could be real deserving idiots and repeat the same mistakes we just lived through.

Ever hear about the Electoral College, idiot? Maybe you should do some research on it first. The candidate receiving the most popular votes doesn't always win, that's how our system is set up. I wasn't referring to Bush's presidency...just the way he was elected. But while we're at it, here are the problems with Obama's presidency so far. How about the fact that he wanted to try terrorists in downtown NYC rather than in military tribunals? How about his Attorney General withholding documents relating to Fast and Furious? How about the massive increase in federal debt under his watch? What about the huge increase in dependency and food stamp enrollment? What does it say about a president when he won't meet with world leaders at the UN, but rather will instead appear on talk shows? What does it say about a president who does not respect the First Amendment and wants to ban a video from being displayed on Youtube? How about a president who lies to the American public about a clear terrorist attack on our embassy? What does it say about a president who wants to appease the Muslim world and not show any strength through power? What does it say about a president who wants to work around Congress to get things done when this is clearly unconstitutional? What does it say about a president when he wants to jam burdensome regulations through Congress without requiring Congress to read and approve of it first? Does that sound like a president you would vote for?

Yes, I truly believe the terrorists should be tried by courts here. I also believe Congress has no right to executive documents in an ongoing criminal investigation. And, I believe the debt needs to be increased NOW by a lot more so we can prime the pump for growth and get people back to work. Because interest rates are at an all time low and we can grow our way out of the debt, we will reduce the deficit in the long run by paying it back with inflated dollars by encouraging needed inflation NOW. Also, I find it truly funny that conservatives want the President to meet with leaders at the UN when they were calling for the destruction and defunding of the UN a little more than a year ago. I'm 100% certain that the President did not "lie" about the tragedy at the consulate in Libya, nor would he want to. As for "foodstamps," the largest benefactor of that program is, of course, American farmers, who receive a 10 for 1 subsidy based directly on the size of that program. So, may I suggest you do some reading of your own. Also, there are some fine Community Colleges you could attend to broaden your self-evidently limited education.

@Publius 2.0: all the planning for 9/11 was done during the Clinton Administration. President Bush was left to clean up the mess.

There are 49 other states (or as Obama believes, 56 other states).
Pick one and move.
Those of us who are proud Pennsylvanians will gladly stay through the ups and downs.

I've got a better idea... Why don't YOU move ?? Maybe to Iran, where you'll be among like minded people ?

So you believe that only the *left* is complaining about the "law"? Pretty short-sighted if you ask me.

I think you are wrong there Ronnie. I have been one of the biggest opponents to this law because the Republicans planned it short-sighted on purpose. They saw an opportunity in a predominately Democratic state to disenfranchise predominately Democratic voters...and they jumped on it. To cap matters...a top chief Republican blew the lid off it all with a stupid comment (Mike Turzai) and let the cat out of the bag. THAT is what has people angered. Next year when the law is passed properly and people have time to get their ID's etc...things will quiet down. Romney won't be in office...but things will quiet down.

Merri I encourage you to take your dog and cat to vote on election day. Since they don't need ID surely dogs and cats can vote now, like they have in the past?

Are you a complete idiot?

Haha @Nick. These Republicans really are idiots. Hey Merri, dogs and cats can vote and evolution & global warming are total myths! A woman's body has a way to shut down "legitimate rape". I can't believe we have a major party in this country that has such a low value for intelligence.

No Nick...not a complete idiot. She owns a cat and a dog. That says something for her at least. A complete idiot would let their cat or dog drive them to the polls and tell them to keep the car running for her.

So can my dead Uncle Harry, who seems to always vote Democratic!

It is urgent now because without it, Williard goes from having little chance of winning Pa to not a snowballs chance in h.ell. The republicans forced this law through with the knowledge that if the blacks, latinos, poor, elderly, etc... were allowed to vote, then they would lose.

Because it's the last chance Republicans have before the country's demographics shift to primarily Democratic! The extreme right views of Fox News and leading Republicans do not represent the views of most of this country. The party needs to come closer to the middle if they want any chance of surviving.

Robert...well said. I have been a Republican voter for many years. And Romney, Ryan, the entire party...turns me off. They need to readjust and get a real grasp on reality. We've got a real problem in this country...a real problem. These guys are living in fantasy land behind their taxpayer salaries and pensions. ALL of them. Both parties. I see a major revolution on our future in the next decade or two. Kids coming out of college...no jobs. And kids behind them...not a chance. Greed bred this problem. Our elected officials have so insulated themselves from the real world they have no idea of the pain that is coming. Its all but guaranteed to blow up in their faces. The Justice dept. did the right thing in purchasing 700,00 rounds of ammo 3 months ago. I think they will need it.

John,
I believe this is just a question of semantics. From my understanding, you are correct that the judge found voters would be disenfranchised through the provisional ballot process, not because of the entirety of the law. However, because of that determination, Judge Simpson filed an injunction that will effectively allow voters without proper ID to vote, thus putting the "voter ID requirement" on hold through the fall election.

I just read through the decision and found the detail. Basically we are going back to the "transition period" that we had during the primary and allowing folks to vote without an ID

I purchase beer and alcohol and never asked for ID. I purchase cigarettes and never asked for ID.

Besides, to whom are you referring when you state "they seem to have it when it comes to that"?
Who is *they"? Peace

Free IDs have only been available from PennDot since the end of August:
http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2012/08/28/free-pa-photo-id-available-starting-today/

Hey AntKaren, the reason you "don't understand the problem" is clearly because you seem to think all anyone has to do is produce a photo of themselves. There are specific mandates that are required to be on those ID's. - Obviously, you have computer access, it would do you well to educate yourself on the details of the law.

I've been voting for 40 years now and my voter card and signature were sufficient.

No reason to change a good system unless you're in the business of voter suppression.

Guess the Right will have to come up with another plan to block President Obama's reelection.

He's the same judge who upheld the law before the State Supreme Court looked at it and sent it back to him. It's like the replacement refs making a bad call and the folks from the NFL's officiating committee up in the booth calls down and tells them to take a look at the play again under the hood. His political affiliation has nothing to do with it. He didn't throw out the law. He merely declared that it needs to be re-evaluated after the election because there isn't enough time to make sure everyone who needs a valid ID has one. The State Supreme Court will have to look at this ruling once more (which I would guess they will uphold).

Republican. You are a complete idiiot.

FUNNY YOU SHOULD ASK! He seems to be a REPUBLICAN.

The same judge was for it before he was against it.
It went back to him after the Pa Supreme Court threw it back at him.
Precedents in many other states about the unconstitutionality and thinly-veiled Jim Crow ramifications showed him the error of his ways. Why don't people read?

With thinking like this, there's no wonder why our country is headed down the toilet under Obama. I guess someone buys right into the 99% v. 1% argument advocated by OWS and the President.

Don't forget buying and watching pornography, smoking cigarettes, borrowing library books, picking up a prescription and all of those other constitutionally guaranteed rights.

Woah woah woah Mohandus....where exactly does it say in the law that I MUST show ID to watch porn? Or borrow a library book? Or even pick up a script of antibiotics? This is where the misconception in the requirement of photo ID begins; people not understanding the difference between law and policy. There are few times a photo ID is required and those times are set by law...law passed by the Commonwealth after debate and examination. Not policy. Policy can only be enforced by denial of service by the vendor. A Vendor can deny me service because I am wearing a blue shirt if he wants to. He can't legally if I am black, He can throw me out of his store for not wearing shoes and socks and legally if he does not he is breaking the law. The biggest misconception in the understanding between law and policy when it comes to providing photo ID. That is where the problem is with all this. People just simply accept it when someone says...let me see your photo ID. My response if I feel it is not a legal request is always: for what reason??

More right-wing madness. If you want to watch porn, you have to produce ID.

A-men !! (The crime of the Republicans was struck down).

Good ideas! Thanks. I forgot all about picking up those mental patients. You got your pass?

The usefulness of a photo ID to prove identity was never the premise of this debate. It's about ensuring everyone with the right to vote could do so without obstruction.

Morgan...you opened up what is called a double headed coin debate. We discussed this many times within focus groups and some said...the law was designed to preserve and protect the legal right to vote for those that were qualified to do so. Others said the law was designed to keep those who do not have the legal right to vote from voting. This goes back in history as the glass half empty - glass half full debate which to this day has never been settled. In fact it has been explained better from a psychological view as dependent on the person's view point as to the condition of the glass and many doctors will ask this question as a base line for their patients.

To add to the dilemma...those that are suspicious of government (like myself) offered a third option: to disenfranchise, or make it extremely difficult to follow through and vote, as many voters as possible from one party or another. It so happens PA is 1M people leaning Democratic and JUST so happens the author of the Voter ID Law were the Republicans. What a quandary. Its called: a perfect storm.

That's an interesting way of framing it - I'm going to have to think about that. Thanks for posting it. On first blush, it seems like this law can only actually address the latter of those. Isn't the former interpretation only protecting the right to vote for those were qualified AND could meet the conditions of the law?

I was just countering the argument that 'but you need an ID for cigarettes and even to get into the democratic convention' by pointing out that we aren't actually discussing whether or not a photo ID is an effective way to prove your identity. This issue is, on both sides, at least in theory, about what is actually promoting the most accurate vote, right?

What focus groups were discussing this? That sounds fun.

Morgan....as you can see from the debate raging on this post header...you have dead-fast what I assume is Republicans fighting for the voter ID law. Yet...why do they fight for it? Because they want to replace Pres Obama with a Republican candidate who they HOPE will do a better job at running this nation? But many are what I consider ninnys and have no idea what government is about and don't understand....government has NO idea how to run a nation. Government is a 'cost' to the taxpayers. Government produces noting towards our GNP. Government takes away from our GNP and to add insult to injury...they pizz our money away with little to no return. That is the bones truth. No matter who wins...the taxpayer pays. Its either pay now...or pay later. This nation is done. We are over the hump and heading down the other side. Greed in this nation by those that can buy an elected official has done us in. Bethlehem Steel...the greatest steel manuf in the world...gone. So are 100,000+ good paying jobs. China owns that now. The list is hundreds of companies deep. We've got a bigger problem now then we ever had. The voters have totally lost control of this nation. With the Supreme Court decision that ANY entity can bank roll an election....we lost man. We voters are done. We taxpayers are done. The ONLY hope we have is coming together as a nation and taking it back...with force if necessary. And here we sit and fight about voter ID's. Pfffttt. Its exactly what the parties want.

And Morgan..on the flip side you have dead-fast Democrats fighting for what they believe is disenfranchising Democratic voters. Those that are low income, legal aliens, etc. Those that by definition are considered the 47%...beholding to the government for help. He11...the government and our elected officials are the ones that created beholding voters to begin with with their policies, give aways, special tax programs, etc. Our government decided who was going to be rich and who was going to be poor by policies enacted and bank rolled by special interest groups. Yes...any man can be a millionaire in this nation many will say. If you don't inherit it you need 'help' with it. What better way than to buy a government? This nation has bigger problems than showing a flippin ID to vote. This nation needs its people to come together on policy and force the issue with government. Romney can stand up and say...I will create jobs! He is so full or crap his suit is brown. Obama can promise everyone health care until the end of the earth. HIS suit is brown too. While we are listening to the BS these guys are shoveling, they are getting 4% COLA's every year, next to free health care, GUARANTEED PENSIONS, car allowances, car insurance, $160 a day per diems, and the list of 'politician created benefits" goes on. I ask you: who is really robbing this nation blind? The black man in center city Allentown collecting welfare when he can work? The bank CEO sending his millions to Aruba? No. Guess?

Your data seems like it is good proof that PA's Republican judges are open-minded, as are the Republican appointed SCOTUS justices Kennedy, Roberts, as well as O'Connor (ex) and Souter (ex), to name a few!

Is driving a car a Constitutional right?

No driving a car is not a "Constitutional right" , but, I have defended the right to vote by serving my country in the military and law enforcement. The ID is to be certain that those who do have the right vote are not impeded by those who do not have the right to vote, by those being in this country illegally. An illegal vote cancels out a legal vote and to many people have died fighting for that right to allow this to happen. This is nothing more than a ploy by the left to get Obama re-elected...call it what is...election fixing

You, and those that have died fighting, defended the right to vote for legal voters who don't have state-issued photo IDs with current expiration dates, too. If non-citizens are voting (are they?) that's a problem with voter registration lists - if those are being ignored by poll workers, why would they not also ignore an ID?

Mike....registering to vote today based on current laws to do so still has plenty of safeguards in place. You make it sound as if a boat load of Africans can dock in at NJ and be bussed to Philly to vote...get back on their board and leave for Africa. That is the furthest from the truth. And too many people are blowing this whole thing way out of proportion for a myriad of reasons. I have voted continuously for the past 30+ years and at least 6 or 7 times have seen people from my community that could not vote because they moved in and did not bother to register in that voting district. It was their simple oversight. There are safe guards in place and they are actively used as required.

Mike: The government seemed to be much more involved and the warning to the public as well as the assistance offered was significantly greater when all we were talking about was Network TV moving from analog to digital. All those who are opposed to the ID law are asking for is time to get it done and get it done right. No one is saying that this law should not EVER come to pass. Just that it should be done correctly to avoid leaving anyone out who deserves to cast a vote.

Thank you, Marc. I agree whole-heartedly. I will support the law WHEN it is allowed to go through the entire vetting process, allows time to be implemented, is paid for, and double checks to make sure...make absolutely sure...those that can legally vote and are entitled to vote...can vote. Until then...this law will not get my support.

Marc: There wasn't a day I could pick up a newspaper or go on-line and not see a story on the voter ID law or a change implemented by the Commonwealth to make the law easier to comply with. Seriously ... To say there wasn't enough information out there is mind-boggling.

SWT: It would be so simple to do EXACTLY what you just dreamed up without having to resort to the "boatload of Africans" scenario. All you need is one or two insiders at the polling place ... Not a very far-fetched scenario at all in places like Philly. You could pull up a busload of people, have a list of names (recent deaths, known shut-ins, people in prison, in nursing homes, in the military). Give each person off the bus a name to vote under. The insiders at the poll wink and nod as the imposter signs the book, and viola' ... Four more years! It's simply naive to believe this wasn't possible or hasn't happened in some form in the past already.

Mike: And that's why every polling place has a minority clerk as well as a majority clerk along with the Judge. Both political parties are to be represented at every polling place. So if you're saying a payoff is all that it takes then -- sure, hypothetically it could happen. But that could ALSO happen with an ID law in place, so your point is moot.

Wrong, Marc ... All I had to do was demonstrate that it COULD happen. And, do you really think a Republican poll watcher in some parts of Philly would have a chance of standing their ground?

Mike...you spell out a very good point. IF things happen the way you illustrate...then we are no better than a third world county. IF that is what voting for an elected official in this nation has come to...I want no part of the process. I realize politics in this nation has fallen to its knees. Anyone who can't see that is living in a hut. Pregnant chads in FL. Republicans jamming through a 'law' on very short notice that the 6th most populice state out of 50 in the nation can not handle...we've got problems in this Commonwealth. Three simple words solve it: Commonwealth Constitutional Convention. Put the people back in charge of their money, their elected officials, their livelihood. Its beyond what everyone on here is fighting about. We're being robbed blind...of out futures...our childrens futures...by people who have crated their OWN idea of government serving the people. When is the last time WE, the PEOPLE, were asked by government what we thought? What laws should be passed? Referendum no longer exists. Why? THEY made it that way. Look how many elected officials are sitting in a taxpayer funded jail because they were caught. Little do people know...the taxpayer funded both to prosecute AND defend those elected officials. And we want to re-elect or elect these people? AND many will get out with a taxpayer funded pension! This nation...this Commonwealth need a serious enema. And many worry about what...possibly 8 or 10 illegal votes?

I suppose your next thought would have been to assume that those of us who dare to oppose Obama are all racists too. Exactly, how does requiring someone to show ID to vote eroding their personal freedom and liberty? I'd really like to know.

Ryan, I don't know if you know me or not, but I didn't mention the President and certainly did not infer anything about racism. Your blind accusation is part of the problem in this country. You do not know my thought process on this at all, yet want to tell me and others what it is anyway. Why do you feel that you must you go on the attack?

If I took the same approach as you just did, I might say that you've got some sort of a chip on your shoulder; that you appear hateful; or that you believe the current form of government in America should be overthrown and turned into something that's acceptable to you. But, I won't do that because I respect your and everyone else's opinions even if we disagree. I won't put words in your mouth, so please don't attempt to put words in mine.

As for the need to verify who I am at the polls or anywhere else, my word that I am who I say I am should be sufficient in America or any free society. Sadly, since 9-11, more and more people have become mistrustful and more demanding of individual verification. I didn't say I don't understand the call for photo IDs, I said it's a very sad commentary on the America of today.

Finally, when I registered to vote, and each time since then that I've moved and had to change my polling location, I received an updated Voters Certificate of Registration card from the county of my residence. Why isn't that sufficient? And, certainly after voting for twelve years at the same polling place, by now those poll workers should certainly know who I am, especially since I've never missed voting in my life and they are residents in my voting district whom I know.

Do you really feel that Republicans only have or use illegal laborers? Give me a break.

No Ryan...but you were the first one to jump on that hook so that tells me what I need to know about you.

You can assume whatever you want, but you know what happens when you assume? I didn't jump on any hook, but I was merely thinking of the typical liberal talking points.

Sorry SWT, you lost all of your credibility when you said that Republicans only use illegal laborers.

I think there is a LOT of abuse out there on people saying....let me see your ID. My response is always simple: for what purpose? Do you have the legal authority to ask for my ID? Your photo ID has a lot of information on it that can be dangerous if in the wrong hands. Until they start writing more laws that say you need to provide a photo ID for this, that, and the other thing beyond what the law says today...I challenge everyone that asks me. 90% back down.

YES!!!!! AGREE!!!!

Wait to you see the lines at PENNDOT when they decide to require an ID for Obama-care benefits. Suddenly, no one will have a problem dragging themselves to a PENNDOT office and getting an ID.

Yeah but not an ID with an expiration date. And much of that stuff you have listed will take other forms of ID as opposed to only a phote ID.

I'd like to see that, too, because in my 65 yrs in PA, I've NEVER seen this problem. Oh, of course, the liberal media conspire to keep it a secret.

Voter obstruction speaks volumes about today's GOP.
They're standing on the shoulders of giants.

You've never seen the problem? Well, neither have I firsthand, but I know that it exists in this state, particularly in Philadelphia. Does anyone remember the '08 election with the Black Panthers intimidating voters? Nah, people like Peety will just ignore the problem and put their heads in the sand.

08 has nothing to do with photo ID

LOL...I have been thinking the very same thing since this law was being promulgated months ago. How many elections were held and the winner won via ineligible votes? How many retired politicians are collecting their tax payer funded pensions and should have never won their election to begin with? Boy...that photo ID law and the millions of dollars spent putting it in place is sure going to make 100% sure...like DNA testing...that every elected official elected after full, legal, timely, and accurate implementation is really the winner. Now I can rest easier at night. Especially knowing my taxes are going up year after year to cover the cost of this new law. Yeah.

Crazy how we lived without electricity for thousands of years....times change

What's changed about the election process since 2008?

Exactly.

Umm, Black Panthers at the polls intimidating voters in Philadelphia in 2008, anyone??? Of course, the US Attorney General will sweep this clear case of intimidation right under the rug.

So what you are saying Obama is counting on the illegal voters to win.

No Chuck...what I am trying to say is that Romney is depending on phony voter fraud claims and roadblocking elderly, young people, the infirmed, rural voters and others who might vote for Obama from doing so...don't you get it?

That's funny, Cher. When I think of voter fraud, I tend to believe it's more of a problem on the Democratic side. By the way, young people, the elderly and rural voters won't be voting for Obama this time like 2008.

Ryan, not sure what you mean about the Dems and voter fraud. BTW, the PA judge is a Republican. I am interested in who gets the women's vote...pretty sure it ain't Romney/Ryan. At least not any women I know, INCLUDING Republican friends are voting for them. I'm sure some Obama haters (including some bigots) might vote R/R, or Mickey Mouse if they could. Can't wait for the debate tomorrow...how about you? And others posting?

I would like to say the same about Osama, I mean Obama but we don't know where the he** he's from!

You know Greg -- it's disgusting comments like yours that epitomize today's GOP.
Pathetic, not patriotic.

Greg Miscavage doesn't know where the hell Obama's from.

Where are you from Greg?

K, why is it that the liberals can say what they want about Bush, Reagan, Romney etc. but as soon as someone says anything about Obama, they're not patriotic? Free speech applies to all parties. Pretend just for a moment that the president worked for us and it's time for a performance review like most of us who work have to answer to. How would you rate him, would he get a raise, should he keep his job? NO. You guys really have nerve. The Dem's campain is nothing but mud slinging because they can't flaunt their record because they don't have one! And besides, I am more patriotic than him. I was born here ( can produce my original birth certificate ) served my country, worked hard and paid my taxes for 46 years!.

I would rate the President a strong B+. But for the obstructionism and economic sabotage of the radical tea baggers and rightwing guano eaters, the President would have achieved an A. In my opinion, the debt-ceiling shenanigans together with the outlandish birtherism and the war or women so demeaned the GOP brand that it will likely be a party of John Birchers for years to come. The GOP is going to lose big this year. I think it is very probable that the GOP will lose the House. I cannot wait to see Nancy Pelosi as Speaker again, so she can shove the 33 stupid attempts to interfere with women's rights up the poop shoot of the GOP maggots.

Who said anything about Obama. This is about a PA voter law that was jammed down our throats.
Corbett didn't run on 'fixing voter fraud' -- and when a GOP politician -- Turzai stated that "...this law will allow Romney to win..." and Corbett said NOTHING in response -- what more do you need to know?
And no -- I do not think that voter obstruction is patriotic. If you do, own it.

So you're saying that the Republican judge who shut this voter obstruction down didn't get enough evidence to make a decision?
As has been stated, the ID that was shown in the past -- didn't have to have a current expiration date. Do you know what I had to go through to get my son -- who was born out of state -- a birth certificate to get his passport?
This Corbett Bill was about voter obstruction -- as I said in an earlier post -- we should ALL double down this and make sure that any possible voter has a voter registration -- so everyone can vote! Democracy is about voter rights not voter obstruction.

Let me get this straight: You're a judge of election and you think this means that NOW you're going to need to handle provisional ballots? Please make sure that you read the ruling correctly and stated what you said correctly. Because what I read expressly stipulates "Election workers will still be allowed to ask voters for a valid photo ID, but people without it can vote on a regular voting machine in the polling place and WOULD NOT have to cast a provisional ballot or prove their identity to election officials after the election," Seems pretty cut and dry to me that your workload will not increase. If anything, it should speed up the line without the hassle of people having to check names, addresses, faces, etc. if the ID law stayed in place.

Additionally, if this is all it takes for you to swear off voting I say "Good riddance." Please be sure to pass your judge of elections role on to someone who cares.

The free IDs have only been available from PennDot since the end of August. The law was passed 7 months ago without the infrastructure in place to get the IDs out in time, which is the core reason the enforcement of it has been delayed.
http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2012/08/28/free-pa-photo-id-available-starting-today/

The more I think about this...Thank you for your post, Sara. This is as solid proof as any to state that there is not enough time to properly train the Judges of Election in PA on the new voter iD laws. If Sara is so confused I bet there are countless others out there in PA who are still scratching their heads. Best that they get trained through NEXT November and start requiring IDs at that time.

I agree Marc, this is probably the most poorly thought out and administered piece of legislation I ever saw, Sara is proof of the that. Both the gov and sec of state have said factually wrong and uninformed info . Just a real amateur hour in general.

How bout you get a job?

So?

Well, the "Don't Tread On Me" crowd you refer to will be laughing all the way to the polls when we vote Obama out of office. By the way, we want less government interference and regulations, NOT no regulations or government at all. Guess what? Today's ruling will only embolden our resolve to vote Obama out!

The "Tea Party" crowd that you so disdain will be heard loud and clear on election day.

Yes, as the 'loud and clear' albatross around the Republican party's neck for yet another election.

The Tea Baggers will have a mouth full of crow in a few weeks. Then we'll finally have a return to sanity. The Tea Baggers are know-nothing malcontents who would rather destroy the Constitution than attempt to understand its fundamental principles. By the way, have any idea who Publius was?

Publius, you lose all credibility when you can't even refer to the Tea Party by its proper name. You call this current administration as sane? Spending almost 6 trillion and piling up the debt to unseen levels? Covering up a terrorist attack on a US embassy? The Tea Party doesn't want to destroy the Constitution, but don't tell that to a moron like yourself. The Tea Party wants a return to fiscal discipline which is a foreign concept to most close-minded liberals like yourself.

Ok, if this is going to be the Tea-Party-talking-point-of-the-Week, let's just dispel this nonsense right now. Not immediately linking the attack in Benghazi specifically to the al-Qaeda is not 'covering up.' At Obama's press conference the next day he clearly included the incident when he said "No acts of terror will ever shake the resolve of this great nation". Whether the attack's leaders leveraged the anniversary of the 9/11 attacks or a moronic video on YouTube to rally support is irrelevant. The hindsight criticism of what security should or should not have been deployed there, and to what extent the threat was reported as credible, is ineffectual, uninformed speculation.

It most certainly does not. You seem to lack any clear understanding of the founding of this country, or the influences of the founders. (see: John Locke and Montesquieu).

Well, aren't we uninformed?

Yes, it's exactly the same situation. You know, when ACORN saw the suspicious names on the voter registration forms, and REPORTED IT ON THEIR OWN? And then FIRED the employees who did it? Yeah, I remember.

Enough -- you're bring up Acorn when the GOP hired a firm that they had to fire because of voter fraud?
When Turzai stated "...this will allow Romney to win..." and not a single Republican in PA said anything -- including Corbett -- then you know that this was about voter obstruction.

Romney is toast, as he should be. He's a terrible candidate, nominated by a party that has terrible policies, supported by Plutocrats who have terrible ethics, and followed by crackers who were and are terrible students of history, economics and patriotism.

Toast!!

Publius sounds exactly like my liberal college professors. Same BS thinking, different day.

Ryan F. There is absolutely no way you went to college. Strike that, University of Phoenix, Strayer or Capella really don't count as colleges, so I suppose you could have taken some courses there.

If you have to obstruct voters to get a win for your candidate, you know you have a problem.

Or hire a 3rd party corporation to fill out false voter registration forms for Republicans and trash those filled out by democrats. (http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/OTUS/voter-registration-fraud-gop-backed-firm-spreads/story?id=17370445) Right? Or try to sign up ONLY Republicans while pretending to work for the County Clerk's office (http://kdvr.com/2012/09/28/colorado-gop-dumps-firm-with-ties-to-voter-fraud/) Right?

The emergent crisis of voter fraud. Frantic and frenzied efforts by Republicans to make sure negros, latinos, asians, elderly and poor don't vote.

Hurry up! Shove the law down our throats. We have to get it done now.

Why? Oh, snap. Because Mike Turzai might not get re-elected.

Next you'll tell me he was born in America and has a U.S. Birth Certificate to prove it.

You sir are a racist. You are precisely why no reasonable person will remain in the Republican party and why that party is doomed to longterm failure. If you like the company of losers, then you are in the right party and should vote with the losers.

Are you late for your klan meeting? Why don't you just call him a nigger and get it over with. Can't believe you backwoods racists f'ers are still holding on to the whole "muslim" thing.

BTW, you just called him a piece of cloth, I believe you meant to say MUSLIM and not MUSLIN.

The President is fabric?

Yeah, the Democratic Party is in great hands with Obummer and Burden in charge LOL.

Ryan F. I very much agree that the Democratic Party is in great shape having both President Obama and Vice President Biden in charge. Frankly, they are the best co-executives we have had since Clinton/Gore. Bin Laden in dead, General Motors is alive. With Romney, the cars get the elevator and the workers get the shaft. It is really time for the Republican party to find some quality candidates. For example, Jon Huntsman is an excellent choice. Too bad the baggers, evangelicals and klan have destroyed the real GOP.

It's no wonder that Publius is an Obama supporter. Is that the best you have to offer? GM is alive and Bin Laden is dead? Thanks for repeating the party's talking points.I think those words are verbatim what Biden and Granholme said at the Democratic convention. Do you have any original thoughts in your head or do you mere repeat the same liberal refrain anytime someone questions this President? How has the Tea Party destroyed the GOP, genius? The movement helped the GOP regain Congressional seats in 2010 and will be Obama's undoing in November. Finally, the Klan was more likely to support Democrats throughout our history, and Robert Byrd, a Democrat was a member of the Klan. The Republicans, since the creation of the party in 1860, have destroyed the institution of slavery and favored minority voting. But, I'm sure you knew that, right? You sound like a student of history though.

The KKK has always been a racist conservative group, the Republicans haven't.

Wow. Finally someone wrote what every moderate is really thinking.

Your thinking here really illustrates your own racism on this issue. Chris Matthews and you would get along swimmingly.

But, Obama and his buddies aren't rich, are they? You have no credibility on this issue since you derisively refer to the Tea Party as "teabaggers." Obama is a traditional Christian??? You've got to be kidding me. What about the uneducated liberals who will vote for a candidate merely because he's black and not because they are in favor of his policies?

Exactly. The was a Frontline on voter machine fraud years ago. We should be insisting that the paper back-up on the voting machines is protected. Having said that, the Frontline report said that the machines were corrupted so deep that it was hard to see the fraud.

The man has made a Bad deal and we have to suffer with his childish Rants !

Cher, They work for some branch of our government or are on the payroll of Obama or Romney campaigns, paid to be on here day and night making comments just so it appears that anyone cares who wins this sham of an election. The country is in shambles, and it is obvious that those in leadership positions aren't choosing lives worth living whether they are Democrats or Republicans. Maybe they will wake up soon, and chose to care about themselves, their people, and their planet, but time is rushing out now.

Corbett is a Republican -- this is his law -- a law that he rammed down our throats. He never campaigned on "fixing (non-existent) voter fraud" with a new voter registration law. NEVER. If you're worried about "Big Brother" -- put your finger in the "right" direction.

there is no voter fraud, is there?

@Dorothy _ there never was a poll tax. And there never was a ironclad ID requirement.

Most people, even proponents of the law, don't (didn't) realize that the voter ID law didn't even require an ID to validate a provisional vote. All you had to do is sign an affadavit that you don't have anacceptable ID to validate your provisional ballot. Read the original law and the affadavit and you will find that this is true. I wonder if the judges understood this, since many people claim you had to be indigent for this to apply, but even that is not true!

The law states:
"IF ANY OF THE FOLLOWING APPLY THE ELECTOR SHALL BE PERMITTED TO CAST A PROVISIONAL BALLOT IN ACCORDANCE WITH SUBSECTION (A.4):
(1) THE ELECTOR IS UNABLE TO PRODUCE PROOF OF IDENTIFICATION:
(I) ON THE GROUNDS THAT THE ELECTOR IS INDIGENT AND UNABLE TO OBTAIN PROOF OF IDENTIFICATION WITHOUT THE PAYMENT OF A FEE; OR
(II) ON ANY OTHER GROUNDS."

The operative word is "OR" and "ANY OTHER GROUNDS" means anything, including you couldn't or didn't take the time to get the ID. You didn't even have top be indigent to get this waiver of the voter ID requirement to apply. Anyone without ID could get the waiver for their provisional vote to count simply by showing up and saying so!

Clearly there was a crisis of epic proportion, that even though we voted for the past 233 years without Voter ID, we had to frantically push this through right before this election.

Anyone can see this crisis unfolding that we required emergency measures to force persons to show ID at the voting place. Imminent death, pestilence and suffering would occur unless people showed ID at the voting booth.

It's hard to believe everyone cannot see this crisis at the voting booth. Maybe the state supreme court can step in and recognize the depth of this crisis.

The Voter ID supporters are pathetic.

you can dream, can't you... luckily it doesn't seem likely that such a nightmare will come to pass.. so sorry!

If you're worried about socialism -- then you
- hate Palin -- as a socialist, she got every AL citizen a check from big oil
- hate our existing health care system -- because we're ALL paying for those without healthcare insurance.

your logic is upside down.
if Romney wins in PA - it becomes more fuel for the fire for those claiming fraud.
if Romney were to win the White House no one respect him because of stolen election.

For the LAST time, there IS something wrong with requiring it five weeks before an election when tens of thousands of potential voters do not have the capacity to meet the strict and arbitrary requirements designed by a single party SPECIFICALLY to make it difficult. The judge did NOT strike out the need (actually desire ) for voter ID. It will just not have to happen before the next Presidential election. There was sufficient evidence given that many poor, elderly and disabled voters would not be able to obtain photo ID IN THIS TIME FRAME !! Period. Exclamation Point.

Photo ID for voting should have been required years ago!

The argument has gotten caught up in plausibility of incompletion and lack of complete access by narrowly defining the forms of ID necessary and it was done on purpose. It was the sole purpose of the foot dragging. The left has gotten it way..for this election. That is what concerns me after seeing the ends that this regime will go to in lying, obfuscating, and lying some more. Useful idiots do not see it. A pass is given for the very same behaviors that would have gotten other POTUS impeached or thrown out. It is quite uncanny the fireproof nature of this propped up puppetized poser. The soothing of the masses by spreading largesse in exchange for unconditional support and the vote. Few see it.

Philly Jazz, the citizens of Pa were not just given 5 weeks notice! I've known about this law since the spring. That should have given people plenty of time to get what they need to vote. If they WANT to vote.

Phillyjazz obviously hasn't been paying attention the last 6 months, because the ID requirements went into effect in MARCH, not "five weeks before an election".

You can't possibly be that out of touch, can you?

This issue has been discussed since 2005 and recently, nonstop, since MARCH! There has been plenty of tie to get proper ID. Why are only the Dems whining?
Republicans need ID, too, and we want a true fair vote.
This stinks.

No Stabby....those that know what to look for....see it quite clearly. Our biggest mountain to climb is to try and organize our fellow man...both sides...and pull the rose colored glasses that politicians have so conveniently installed on their faces with BS promises they KNOW they can not keep in an effort to control and add discontent to our organizational efforts....off their faces so they can see the truth. I've never worked harder at any other job than this. The left and right are so far apart we might as well BE two different nations. But, you are correct...this voter ID law should have been passed and passed on a federal basis years ago. The patch work of states who have done so with a myriad of different ID types and such...and this is America? Quite depressing to say the least. One simply can not help the town idiot when the town idiot can not be silenced long enough to listen to reason. That is our largest problem to deal with today.

Its good to see you on this post, Stabby. Your comments are always a learning experience.

Bar Keep

Yes, but despite going 233 years of not requiring Voter ID, we must make frantic and frenzied efforts to require it just before THIS election.

You sound cute though, Michele. What are you doing Election Night?

Shorty,

I hear we don't have to show Voter ID after all. I myself am driving busloads of negros, latinos, asians, elderly, poor, and illegals to polling places and have them vote illegally, especially in heavily Republican areas so we can fix the election.

What do you think of that, Shorty?

Don't back down Philly!

I think it is great that you made sure your mom has ID so she can vote. Part of my point is that people have had almost 7 months to get their ID ect. Maybe if they don't have the ID maybe it is because it is not important enough to them to vote. It was important to my 19 yr old son who does not drive and he made sure he got one cause he is dying to cast his vote. It was important to him and he got it done.

LOL wow i can almost hear the violins playing. Geez two days and one of those days you had to sit and wait for four whole hours and you actually lived to tell the story. Man you should have been a pioneer or lived in the wild west or something or maybe you should have been a soldier and risked your life defending our freedoms. Tell you what, i got your crying towel right hear just tell me where to send it lol

Oh phillyjazz just want to say my comments were directed at you for complaining not at your mother. I wish her well and tip my hat to her for being a concerned citizen willing to do whatever it takes to vote. Iknow its hard for some people but im growing tired of the lack of self responsability i see and excuses i hear.

Of course we're the "ignorant ones", Jazzy, as if you were the only one who ever had to help an elderly family member get official documents.

I went though the same process for my mother several years ago, when air travel began to require PHOTO ID - like so many other things we do these days in a civilized world. Only it took me just a few hours to get my mother's situation addressed, but then again I was smart enough to do my homework before dragging grandmom out to PENNDOT!.

The facts are these ... This law has been the non-stop subject of newspaper columns, media reports, blog posts, on-line political discussions, etc., etc., etc. since MARCH! SInce MARCH only 12,000 people (out of the purportedly 750,000 - 1 million so-called "potentially disenfranchised") bothered to see the process out to its successful conclusion.

This indicates one of two things, neither of which are problems with the system:
a) Voters have not been listening or caring about what was needed under the law, or b) These eligible voters couldn't be bothered with meeting a very reasonable documentation requirement that's used every day by MILLIONS of people to complete a myriad of daily life activities.

People opposed to this law made it sound like they were being asked to fly to Jupiter!

12,000 out of a potential 750,000 = voter disinterest and laziness, plain and simple.

Why anyone other than rich old white men would respect him anyway is beyond me. I find literally nothing respectable about him (aside from the excellent health care plan he provided the people of Massachusetts.)

You need to do more research about Romney. He is worthy of more respect then Obama who is a terrible leader, ect.

Why would anyone other than someone whom thinks they are entitled to whatever they want without having to work for it or someone whom doesnt believe in the principles our country was founded on vote for Obama.

That makes a lot of sense. </sarcasm>

What if Romney LOST Pennsylvania and still won? Are you saying if he won even ONE of the THIRTY states with voter ID laws, the elction would be tainted?!?

Please ...

Rosemary - I would like to do some research of Romney's 2009 Tax returns - can you help me with that.
(I am looking to see if he took part in a tax amnesty program for tax cheats.)

My totally, disabled daughter has been getting non-driver ID for at least 15 years. Not a big problem; no worse than her going shopping or church. Me, or her husband, or her sibling take her every 5 years to renew. She, and everyone who knows her, consider this issue to be ridiculous.

also got one for my nearly deaf and blind 87 yr old mother. We went when they opened and had maybe a twenty minute wait. Still, not a big deal if you are really interested in voting. agree that special voter ID places should be opened at additional places and additional times. Not doing that was a big fail with the proponents of voter ID laws.

I hear Phillyjazz has an MBA.

No economic lessons here folks! PHILLY JAZZ HAS AN MBA!

Phillyjazz is economically sufficient. He has an MBA(douchebag).

@Kenya.

The 55 gallon drum of Preparation H is available to you. Paid for by the Kenyan government.

Isn't it funny that the GOP pit bulls who said such lies don't put their names on their posts.
Coward.

Let us all know who you are. Put it on a bumper sticker, your front door --
"I don't know anything about Romney, I just hate Obama."
"I love to hate."

No one hates Obama. But his policies are another story....We are certainly not better off now then we were 4 yrs ago. And he has broken so many promises! Where is the transparency in government that he promised? Did he cut the deficit in half? Are Helthcare insurance premiums lower because of his policies? NO! They are higher. He has not done the job and now must go.

And they are all old, sick, disabled and live in the boonies.

Are you referring to the GOP voter fraud activities that are occurring in FL and other states?

If our military personnel can lose their life,limbs and blood for our freedom, then every person who votes can prove who they say they are with a valid I.D. If one values freedom they will not object. Voting is a right . Proving who you are is a obligation.