Dude! Alert the Media!
Y’all, grin.
A judge in the US state of Pennsylvania has stopped new ID requirements for voters from taking effect before November’s presidential election.
The ruling, which says voters do not need valid photo ID to cast a ballot, is likely to be cheered by Democrats.
Pennsylvania, a key swing state, has been leaning towards President Barack Obama in opinion polls.
Imagine that. Letting people vote in America.
Thanks to Mike A in Oklahoma for the heads up.
The GOP attempt to limit voter participation may
1be a motivation for higher Democratic turnout. Eat that Karl Five!
They haven’t declared it unconstitutional, but at least this November it can’t be implemented due to logistical snafu.
Probably need to make a “grandparent” provision for old folks in nursing homes/assisted living situations. Imagine the joy of escorting every resident to the DMV for their picture ID and waiting however long it takes because the “greatest generation” and their now creaky offspring, like me, know what a vote is worth.
2Unfortunately the advertising stating that voter ID is required to vote has not been enjoined and will continue.
That makes a lot of sense if your goal is to inhibit voting.
3The voter ID laws in all of the republican-controlled states may eventually be a good thing, and it may make sense to phase them in like they did with the Affordable Care Act. But the knee-jerk republicans had to have it implemented right now. Beware of anybody — tele-evangelists, huckesters and telephone soliciters — that need a decision right now or you’ll miss out. Anytime you’re rushed to make any decision of this type it ends up costing you. If it’s legitimate and has value, it will wait.
4They’re still going to ask for it but you don’t have to have it. Might intimidate a few people but probably not in my precinct.
Elsewhere, the baggers are challenging people’s registrations. Apparently some states allow anyone to go down the roster and challenge registrations causing the person to receive a letter asking them to prove they are registered. Never heard of such a damnfool thing. Total waste of money — except it goes to the post office so that’s not so bad.
5My understanding is that it will not be implemented this year, and that they will have to prove that implementation in the next election will not create two unequal pools of voters: those who find it easy to register and those who have to jump through a lot of hoops. Sounds like major changes will have to be made. In Michigan we have a voter ID law but if you don’t have your ID with you, you can sign an affidavit on the back. The vote is counted like a regular vote (not one of the provisional ballots) and signing it untruthfully is a federal felony.
6Yes, they can still ask to see a voter I.D. I suppose this will serve as a hindrance/harrassment to some people. I hope the good folks in PA have poll watchers at every polling place to step in with, “O.K. You’ve asked. Now give ’em a ballot.”
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