HARRISBURG: A judge yesterday blocked Pennsylvania from requiring voters to show identification in November’s US election, a decision that could influence turnout in a top electoral prize in the presidential race.
Commonwealth Court Judge Robert Simpson issued a partial preliminary injunction that halts the requirement that people show either a state driver’s licence, government employee ID or a state non-driver ID card in order to vote on November 6.
The ruling comes exactly five weeks before the presidential election pitting President Barack Obama, a Democrat, against Republican contender Mitt Romney.
Simpson, on orders from the state’s highest court to revisit his August ruling upholding the law, indicated the law could be implemented for future elections. He set a hearing for December 13 to schedule further proceedings in the case.
“This is a victory for the petitioners and people who will be able to vote on Election Day,” said Marian Schneider, one of the attorneys for the groups challenging the law.
National attention has been focused on the court fight over the law requiring voters to show a photo ID. The Republican-led Pennsylvania legislature passed it in March without a single Democratic vote.
Supporters say it is aimed at ensuring only those legally eligible to vote cast ballots. Critics say it is designed to keep minority voters, who typically vote Democratic, away from the polls. Similar laws have generated controversy in
other states.
The state of Pennsylvania has acknowledged that there has never been a case of in-person voter fraud, according to court testimony.
Simpson upheld the law in a ruling issued in mid-August. Last month, following an appeal of that decision, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court ordered him to re-hear arguments about whether the administration of Governor Tom Corbett was doing enough to ensure voters had “liberal access” to obtain picture ID cards needed to vote in November.
REUTERS
