Judge Upholds Pennsylvania's Voter ID Law
Commonwealth Court Judge Robert Simpson on Wednesday morning released his decision that parties challenging the Voter ID law were not able to prove that it will cause 'immediate and irreparable harm' to the electorate.
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Pennsylvania's new voter identification law will stand ... for now.
Commonwealth Court Judge Robert Simpson on Wednesday morning released his decision, saying that parties challenging the voter ID law were not able to prove it will cause "immediate and irreparable harm" to the electorate.
Challenge to the law were brought by voter advocacy groups, including the American Civil Liberties Union and the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. The groups suing to overturn the law immediately vowed to appeal the judgment.
Pennsylvania passed a law in March requiring all registered voters to show a valid and "acceptable" photo ID before voting. That means that every voter in Baldwin Borough, Whitehall Borough and Baldwin Township will need valid photo ID when they arrive at the polls.
Opponents of the law say that it disproportionately targets the elderly as well as the poor and minorities, who typically vote Democratic. Furthermore, critics say that the burden of obtaining an acceptable ID for these people would keep them from voting.
However, Judge Simpson decided that the state has surpassed its requirements to offer photo identification to those who need it and granted voters the ability to cast provisional ballots and prove their identity within six days. He also noted that some of those who testified for the plaintiffs would likely need to use absentee ballots to vote.
"(The plaintiffs) did an excellent job of 'putting a face' to those burdened by the voter ID requirement," Simpson wrote in his decision. "At the end of the day, however, I do not have the luxury of deciding this issue based on my sympathy for the witnesses or my esteem for counsel."
Thirty states have some sort of voter ID law, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures, and of those, 19 do not require a photo, six do, and five, including Pennsylvania, have strict photo requirements.
In June, Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald joined county Controller Chelsa Wagner in challenging the law. Wagner, a Democrat, has endorsed efforts in the courts to keep the law from taking effect before November's general elections, and her office filed an amicus brief in the challenge to the law.
Controversy over the law flared in June when state Democrats criticized a comment from State House Majority Leader Mike Turzai (R-Bradford Woods Borough) about the newly enacted law.
Turzai's comment, which made its way to YouTube, was among several items that he said had been accomplished on the Republican agenda. In the video, he says: "Voter ID, which is going to allow Gov. (Mitt) Romney to win the state of Pennsylvania, done."
Click here to read the full court opinion.
Do you agree or disagree with the judge's decision? Let us know what you think in the comments section.
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In This article
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Baldwin Borough Municipal Complex
3344 Churchview Ave, Pittsburgh, PA -
Borough of Whitehall Municipal Complex (Administrative Offices and Outdoor Recreation)
100 Borough Park Dr, Pittsburgh, PA
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Baldwin Township Municipal Building (Administrative Offices)
10 Community Park Dr, Pittsburgh, PA
B-W Proud
11:19 am on Wednesday, August 15, 2012
I am glad that the judge is upholding the PA Voter ID Law!
cc
11:09 pm on Wednesday, August 15, 2012
Best news of the Day. We just need the rest of the states to follow though with it so no more illegals or people voting more than once. To the ones that are crying, you have had 8 months to get a Photo ID card, if you didn't do the work to get one then it is your fault and you can't blame others.
herman pscheidl
8:10 am on Thursday, August 16, 2012
Fine, they approved the I.D. requirement. But tell people like my self, where or how we go about acquiring a valid form of i.d.
cc
12:56 pm on Thursday, August 16, 2012
Take your birth certificate to a drivers center and get photo ID.
Billee
9:02 am on Thursday, August 16, 2012
Call and ask for assistance on new voter ID requirments today don't delay - Bill Kortz (412) 466-1940
freeandequalpa
9:59 am on Thursday, August 16, 2012
For anyone interested in a detailed summary of the Court's opinion:
http://freeandequalpa.wordpress.com/2012/08/15/petitioners-request-to-enjoin-enforcement-of-photo-id-law-denied/
cc
12:57 pm on Thursday, August 16, 2012
Best news that this was passed and a law. no do not want to read your blog.
mmp
12:41 pm on Thursday, August 16, 2012
My what a narrow- minded society, we have become! Just keep looking after "Number 1" and you will have the government that you deserve.
BRUTUS
9:45 pm on Friday, August 17, 2012
IF you HAVE yet another form of ID, and time and means to get to a drivers center before the polls close.
Of course you entirely, as usual, miss the point.
cc
10:29 pm on Saturday, August 18, 2012
No Brutus I didn't miss the point at all, ml doesn't want republicans to vote for Romney, she wants obama to win the election. People have had over 8 months to get photo id and if they didn't do it then they can't blame anyone but themselves. Brutus must be married to ml
cc
10:07 pm on Saturday, August 18, 2012
New Laws for replacing drivers license in Pa January 2012
Replace a Lost, Stolen, or Mutilated Pennsylvania Driver's License or ID Card
Updated on Tue, 1/31/2012
If your Pennsylvania driver's license or identification card has been lost, stolen, or mutilated, you can apply for a replacement or duplicate license at your local Department of Transportation (PennDOT) Driver License Center.
Instructions for replacing a lost, stolen or mutilated Pennsylvania driver's license or identification card:
You can apply for a duplicate license or identification card by mail or in person. To apply by mail follow the same instructions as given for out-of-state residents. To apply in person, follow the instructions given below:
Locate the Pennsylvania Driver License Center or messenger service nearest you. Be sure to note the days and hours of operation.
Download, complete and bring the Application for Change/Correction/Replacement of a Non-Commercial Driver's License.
(CONTINUE)
cc
10:08 pm on Saturday, August 18, 2012
(CONTINUED)
"Bring the correct fee. Normally there is a $5 fee for replacing a lost, stolen, or mutilated license if a new camera card is not required or $10 if a new camera card is required. A camera card is a temporary license without a photo that is issued if there is no photo on file for you. If you receive a camera card, you will have to visit a Photo License Center within 60 days to have a picture taken for your new license. Only checks and money orders are acceptable. Please contact your local PennDOT Driver License Center to confirm the fee and mode of payment before applying in person, since fees may vary.
Very easy to get in the same day.
cc
10:17 pm on Saturday, August 18, 2012
Since I didn't need a new camera card, the license was replace the same day. Then again ml you think you are so wise and smart but actually just proved how really stupid you are wishing people to be robbed so they wouldn't have a license.
Over on facebook, people been getting a kick out of the moronic things you say.
cc
12:53 pm on Sunday, August 19, 2012
ml do you even know what a PA Dot Drivers License Center is??? It is where you take your drivers test at, apply for a permit, get a Photo ID (right on the spot), get a replacement license there (right on the spot). AAA only does the cards if you have one and cannot get a drivers license on the sport.
You have the answers for everything but are so wrong. Wishing Republicans would lose their licence is so banish but coming from you doesn't surprise me at all. I wasn't the one that put you on facebook either but some on here were quoting you and got a big kick out of it. You the expert on nothing but stealing others words and posting them as your own. Matt sure had you pegged correctly and to bad the Patch took down his comments.
cc
10:27 pm on Saturday, August 18, 2012
Pennsylvania Driver Centers Hours are:
MONDAY- CLOSES
TUESDAY - 8:30 AM TO 4:15 PM
WEDNESDAY - 8:30 AM TO 4:15 PM
THURSDAY - 8:30 AM TO 6:00 PM
FRIDAY - 8:30 AM TO 4:15 PM
SATURDAY - 8:30 AM TO 4:15 PM
cc
12:39 pm on Sunday, August 19, 2012
PA Drivers License Center in Bridgeville, Washington Pa and Downtown Pittsburgh that is ran by DOT. Hours of operation are as followed:
MONDAY- CLOSES
TUESDAY - 8:30 AM TO 4:15 PM
WEDNESDAY - 8:30 AM TO 4:15 PM
THURSDAY - 8:30 AM TO 6:00 PM
FRIDAY - 8:30 AM TO 4:15 PM
SATURDAY - 8:30 AM TO 4:15 PM
Duncan Manor Shopping Center
1701 Duncan Avenue
Allison Park, PA 15101
Chartiers Valley Shopping Ctr.
1025 Washington Pike Rt 50
Bridgeville, PA 15017
Penn Hills Shopping Center
11620 Keleket Drive
Pittsburgh, PA 15235
Downtown Pittsburgh
708 Smithfield Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15222
cc
12:45 pm on Sunday, August 19, 2012
PennDOT Photo & Exam Center
250 Oak Spring Road
Oak Spring Center
Washington, PA 15301
Point Plaza Shopping Center
Route 356 and 68
Butler, PA 16001
960 Rostraver Road
Tri-County Plaza
Belle Vernon, PA 15012
1600 Greensburg Road
New Kensington, PA 15068
770 East Pittsburgh Street
The Davis Center
Greensburg, PA 15601
149 Stewart Ave
East Rochester, PA 15074
North Gallatin Avenue Ext
855 N Gallatin Ave
Uniontown, PA 15401
Highlands Office Complex
Rt. 422, Butler Road
West Kittanning, PA 16201