Judge strikes down PA voter ID law

[redheadbaker]

abclocal.go.com/wpvi/story?section=news/politics&id=9397206

HARRISBURG, Pa. - January 17, 2014 (WPVI) -- A state judge has struck down the law requiring Pennsylvania's voters to show photo identification at the polls.

Commonwealth Court Judge Bernard McGinley said the requirement that was the centerpiece of Pennsylvania's embattled 2012 voter identification law places an unreasonable burden on the fundamental right to vote.

The decision paves the way for an expected appeal to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court. Republicans approved the law over the protests of Democrats.

During a 12-day trial this summer, plaintiffs said hundreds of thousands of voters lacked acceptable IDs and the inconvenience of getting a photo ID might discourage some from voting. State officials insisted there were ample opportunities for voters to get a valid ID if they had none.

The court has barred enforcement of the law since the 2012 general election.

[Velar Fricative]

Woohoo! I know this fight isn't over but at least it's a step in the right direction.

[demandypants]

Ah, didn't see your post before I posted the same. I am happy with the decision, but curious what will happen next.

[bugandbibs]

This is a step in the right direction.

[Deleted]

i get the arguments for not having picture id, but how do you function in America without id?

Whenever I've had a new job I've needed to either bring my birth certificate and driver's license or passport to show I'm eligible to work in the US.

I would assume if I'm applying for state or federal benefits I would need proof of identification.

Is there such a large underground labor market that most people don't have some form of state issued id?

[redheadbaker]

Jan 17, 2014 11:25:12 GMT -5 @septimus said:

i get the arguments for not having picture id, but how do you function in America without id?

Whenever I've had a new job I've needed to either bring my birth certificate and driver's license or passport to show I'm eligible to work in the US.

I would assume if I'm applying for state or federal benefits I would need proof of identification.

Is there such a large underground labor market that most people don't have some form of state issued id?

The PA law was one of the strictest with regards to the acceptable type of ID. It had to have an expiration date (so that excluded student and veteran IDs), had to be current (not expired) and issued by the state.

[meshaliuknits]

Jan 17, 2014 11:54:29 GMT -5 redheadbaker said:

Jan 17, 2014 11:25:12 GMT -5 @septimus said:

i get the arguments for not having picture id, but how do you function in America without id?

Whenever I've had a new job I've needed to either bring my birth certificate and driver's license or passport to show I'm eligible to work in the US.

I would assume if I'm applying for state or federal benefits I would need proof of identification.

Is there such a large underground labor market that most people don't have some form of state issued id?

The PA law was one of the strictest with regards to the acceptable type of ID. It had to have an expiration date (so that excluded student and veteran IDs), had to be current (not expired) and issued by the state.

You couldn't use a passport?

Sent from my EVO

[redheadbaker]

Jan 17, 2014 19:34:07 GMT -5 meshaliuknits said:

Jan 17, 2014 11:54:29 GMT -5 redheadbaker said:

The PA law was one of the strictest with regards to the acceptable type of ID. It had to have an expiration date (so that excluded student and veteran IDs), had to be current (not expired) and issued by the state.

You couldn't use a passport?

Sent from my EVO

Sorry for the confusion! State-issued or U.S.-gov't-issued photo ID (so a passport would be acceptable).

[meshaliuknits]

Jan 17, 2014 19:43:50 GMT -5 redheadbaker said:

Jan 17, 2014 19:34:07 GMT -5 meshaliuknits said:

You couldn't use a passport?

Sent from my EVO

Sorry for the confusion! State-issued or U.S.-gov't-issued photo ID (so a passport would be acceptable).

OK! Thats less jackassy and stupid than I originally thought.