Good news! Pennsylvania voters lacking state-mandated IDs will not lose their right to vote --- at least for now.
Yesterday, state Commonwealth Court Judge James Simpson, at the urging of the state Supreme Court, ruled that voters without IDs would still be allowed to cast their ballots. Earlier this summer, the same judge upheld requirement of the voter ID, which became law last March.
But it would have been impossible for the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PENNDOT), the agency tasked with providing the IDs, to issue them to everyone in need before Election Day. It was determined that not enough had been done to ensure "liberal access" to picture ID cards.
However, the photo ID mandate was not thrown out. Voters now have two years to acquire them, between now and the next election.
So, it looks as if the Republicans' grand plan to deliver Pennsylvania to Romney may have been thwarted --- much to the dismay of folks like House Majority Leader Mike Turzai, who was caught on video declaring that the voter ID law would enable Romney to win Pennsylvania.
Something else to consider: According to a recent New York Times poll, four of Pennsylvania's Congressional races are considered too close to call. Three of those seats are currently held by Republicans. Democrats need a net gain of 25 seats to recapture a majority of the House nation-wide.
Now that no one in the Keystone State is being denied their right to the ballot, could it happen? Hmmm!
I live in hope, scant though it may be. The PA voter ID question, I thought, was resolved by a judge when the pro-right wing forces lost on appeal. My daughter suggests that if
ReplyDeletestates desire voter IDs, states and not individuals should pay for them--I agree.
Good luck next weekend in WI!