Judge Simpson Enjoins Voter ID Law

Judge Simpson, on remand from the State Supremes, has enjoined enforcement of the ID provisions for November's election. Poll workers can still ask voters for ID, but a voter without one can still vote.

You can read the ruling here. (courtesy of Capitol Ideas).

Supreme Court Vacates Judge Simpson's Voter ID Ruling

You can read the High Court's Opinion here.

Voter ID? No Big Deal, or Is It?

Steve Samuelson, Joe Brennan, Bob Freeman all vote No.

Signed into law by Governor Corbett late yesterday, Pennsylvania's controversial new voter ID law was adopted almost entirely along party lines. That's almost never a good idea, whether it's voter ID "reform" or the sweeping changes to health insurance that gave birth to the tea party.

Locally, two State Reps. have condemned this legislation. Joe Brennan (D-Lehigh/Northampton) calls it a "terrible bill intended to disenfranchise and suppress our Pennsylvania citizens from being a part of the democratic process." Bob Freeman (D - Northampton) adds that the legislation is "unnecessary," and worries that "the group of people most hurt by this legislation will be our senior citizens."

Freeman points to an 86-year-old World War II veteran from Aurora, Ohio, who was prevented from voting earlier this month because of Ohio's new photo voter ID law. He did not have a driver's license and his veteran's ID was not acceptable.

"That story will be replicated here in Pennsylvania over and over again," predicts Freeman. "Shame on those who support this legislation if it puts veterans in that position so they cannot cast a ballot -- they who defended this country, and that's what this legislation would do."

Brennan points out that the League of Women Voters, AARP and the County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania all opposed this legislation, which will cost from $4.3 million to $11 million. Brennan added that there likely will be additional costs to defend the legislation in court. A judge in Wisconsin has struck down that state's voter identification after a legal challenge. The U.S. Justice Department blocked South Carolina's voter ID bill in December and has stepped in to block Texas’ voter ID law.

"This bill is nothing more than a waste of taxpayer dollars attempting to fix a problem that doesn't even exist," Brennan said. "Voter ID is a waste of time and taxpayer money when we should be focused on jobs and the economy."

During the House debate, Republicans downplayed the ID requirement, noting correctly that we must produce IDs for cigarettes, beer, or even to get into our gym.

What's the big deal?

Feisty Philly State Rep Babette Josephs answers the "What's the big deal?" argument in the video clip below. "Nobody dies to swim in a pool, no matter how good he or she was at swimming. Nobody died to buy a pack of smokes. Nobody died for the right to buy a drink. Nobody died for the right to open a credit account or a bank account. We have died - we are dying now - for the right to vote. And that, ladies and gentlemen, is the big deal."

Well said, Babette. Well said.