PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE: Challengers seeking to block the new voter ID law argued in a filing with the Pennsylvania Supreme Court on Thursday that a lower court decision applied the wrong legal standards in assessing the potential harm of the requirement.
The American Civil Liberties Union of Pennsylvania and other opponents of the law requiring photo identification at the polls are appealing the decision of a Commonwealth Court judge that the requirement should go forward for the Nov. 6 general election. They had argued that many voters lack acceptable identification and that some would be unable to acquire the documents in time. But Judge Robert Simpson ruled that obtaining and presenting identification is not an unconstitutional burden and allowed the law to proceed.
The voter ID proposal passed the Legislature with the support of Republicans, who said it would protect the integrity of elections. Democrats and advocates for the poor vigorously opposed the measure, arguing it would prevent vulnerable — but eligible — voters from casting their ballots… (more)
