Commonwealth Court Judge Judge Robert Simpson said Wednesday morning that he will not grant an injunction that would have stopped Pennsylvania's from going into effect.
The challenge to the law was brought by voter advocacy groups, including the American Civil Liberties Union and the NAACP.
ACLU attorney Witold J. Walczak told The Washington Post that the case isn't over. “It’s why they make appeals courts.”
Is this good or bad for Pennsylvania? Leave a comment.
Opponents are expected to file an appeal within a day or two to the state Supreme Court as the Nov. 6 presidential election looms, according to the Associated Press.
Pennsylvania passed a law in March requiring all registered voters to show a valid and “acceptable” photo ID before voting. This is one of the strictest voter ID laws in the nation.
Opponents of the law say it disproportionately targets the elderly as well as the poor and minorities, who typically vote Democrat. Furthermore, critics say that the burden of obtaining an acceptable ID for these people would keep them from voting.
According to proponents of the law, including State Senator Daryl Metcalfe (R-12th District) who introduced the Pennsylvania bill, the law is meant to prevent voter fraud.
Thirty states have some sort of Voter ID law, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures, of those, 19 do not require a photo, six require a photo and five, including Pennsylvania, have strict .
Meanwhile, the U.S. Department of Justice is looking at whether Pennsylvania's tough new voter law requiring photo identification complies with Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act and on Monday asked the state's top election official -- a chief supporter of the law -- for a long list of information about it.
Read Judge Judge Robert Simpson's 70-page decision (attached).
Heres a trick question for you - what is with you and race?
"So I ask you, answer honestly here, are Republicans doing this because it's the right thing to do, or because they want an advantage in the election? I'm not asking how hard it is to get an ID, or what's right..." What exactly are you asking? Is it right but don't tell me it is right? Is this another trick question??? ;)
Credo has clearly identified as a Super Pac dedicated to taking down the top ten tea party congressman. An antidote to "Americans for Prosperity".
Those who can, do. Those who can't, wallow in self pity. Those who prey on the pitied, are Democrat Demagogues.
By far the AFP is better funded...it has Koch Bros behind it. Fact checking is what I do...and the reason I am blocked by those who don't like the truth.
"Since the law passed in March, Pennsylvania has also made it easier to get a state ID for voting purposes and begun providing them free of charge. Under state law, driver's licenses, passports, military ID, federal government employee ID and college ID all qualify at the voting booth. The state will also provide a free ID to anyone who signs an affirmation that he needs it to vote, requiring only a Social Security number and two proofs of residence. But there's more. Voters who show up at their polling place without an ID will be allowed to cast a provisional ballot and present proof of identity within six days. Indigent voters may also cast a provisional ballot and sign a statement saying they couldn't obtain the necessary documents. Does all of this plausibly add up to voter suppression?" Can't imagine anyone feeling "suppressed" given the above. Depressed, maybe, as Dems seem worried about large numbers of their voters appparently unwilling to make the slightest effort to get an ID.
I'm very clear what I'm asking, you won't answer though because it exposes your party's sliminess. Here are the options, Are Republicans Pushing Voter ID Laws Because: A) It's the good thing to do B) It gives them a political advantage in the upcoming election I'm guessing since you know how to use a computer, you're reasonably smart. I don't think you're dumb enough to think that Republicans are doing this solely because it's the right thing to do. My guess is you look at it like "Yeah the Reps are doing this to help win the election, but I can rationalize it because I really believe people should have to show ID. It's win-win." Fine. But just be honest about it. The fraud thing is secondary (at best) to trying to win the election. The truth will set you free. Admit that you know these are political tactics, and then justify by saying the Dems have done worse in the past, or that you don't care how vile the tactics gets as long as Obama's ousted from office. I'll disagree with you, but at least I'll respect your honesty.
In regards to Dems throwing around hugely inflated numbers: Democrats didn't come out with the numbers of people who will not be able to vote - the DMV did. It's something like 900,000 in PA. Even if 75% of those people go and get voter IDs, that's still hundreds of thousands of people who normally could vote but now won't be able to. That 25% is enough to give Republicans the advantage to win.
No need to restrict bazooka ownership, no documented cases of death by bazooka, so why bother.
This bill was first introduced 10 (TEN) years ago. The motives behind the author of this bill was to make sure that ALL LEGAL votes counted and were not offset by the slime ball political bosses in Philly and Pitssburgh. How much clearer can I say that NO I DO NOT THINK THIS BILL WAS PASSED IN ORDER TO BEAT OBAMA. Re-read that last line v e r y s l o w l y. If it is a conspiracy to beat Obama as you believe then it was started back when Obama was still a lowly state senator in IL. Their foresight is amazing if that is the case. I ask you - do you believe the dems are fighting this bill because it will hinder their chances without the voter fraud they use when needed? And by the way, I am not a Republican.
A quick google search shows that the bill was signed by the governor in mid March, 2012 and he was presented the bill shortly before then. This jives with logic, since last I checked it didn't take 10 years for a bill to pass. They did it now because they have the manpower in the PA legislature, a Republican governor, and an election looming in the next few months. It's not even a conspiracy, it's a fact: House Majority Leader in the GOP controlled Pennsylvania legislature, Mike Turzai [R], verbalizes a list of that legislatures accomplishments: “Pro-Second Amendment? The Castle Doctrine, it's done. First pro-life legislation -- abortion facility regulations -- in 22 years, done. Voter ID, which is gonna allow Governor Romney to win the state of Pennsylvania, done.” And all the Republicans in the room cheer after that one, because it's not a secret, it's just a simple fact. Voter ID laws help Republicans, that's the whole point. I'm not going to go back and forth anymore, I can't tell if you're serious about not seeing the political reasons behind this or if you're just trying to do some grassroots PR for the Romney campaign but in either case this issue is done, people reading this stuff are probably smart enough to sort out the truth. Some will find it appalling, some will think that the tactics are ok because "anything goes as long as Obama gets ousted!"
So, let's implement the purple indelible ink and dipping of the thumb too! That should help. lol
Again, the bill was first introduced 10 years ago. It was an idea that the author had 10 years ago. He was unable to get enough support for it during that time period. He introduced it again last year. It passed. It was signed by the gov. in March. The point was that 10 years ago when he first introduced it Obama was not a consideration. It was a good idea 10 years ago and it is a good idea now. Do you agree that the dems do not want this law because it puts a crimp in their voter base of fraudulent voters?
http://prospect.org/article/creating-hurdles-pennsylvania-drops-efforts-boost-voting
Sounds like PA has a huge amount of voters who are either elderly, sickly, undocumented, or in poverty and therefore cannot/do not have ID. In other words, enough voters to actually swing an election? Does anyone have real data on the actual numbers of affected voters or would be voters?
http://www.thedailyshow.com/watch/thu-august-16-2012/daily-show--democalypse-2012---cockblock-the-vote
and you'll find out more. This PA VOTER ID is NOT a local initiative - it was conceived by ALEC and has been driven by Corbett and our Republican legislatures for the obvious reason to influence the 2012 election in favor of Romney. This is the Karl Rove "Win At Any Cost" philosophy.
and you'll find out more. This PA VOTER ID is NOT a local initiative - it was conceived by ALEC and has been driven by Corbett and our Republican legislatures for the obvious reason to influence the 2012 election in favor of Romney. This is the Karl Rove "Win At Any Cost" philosophy.
http://www.hulu.com/watch/392150