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Subscribe to RSSToday's Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruling on a challenge to the state's strict new voter ID law amounts to this message to the state: either prove that voters can easily get a new photo ID card or face the near-certain prospect that the state Supreme Court will block it from going into effect.
A state court judge in Pennsylvania ruled last month against a group of challengers to the new law, citing insufficient proof that it would disenfranchise minority voters. The challengers immediately appealed, and now the state's Supreme Court has overturned the lower court ruling, sending the case back to the judge with instructions to figure out what the practical implications of the law will actually be.
Here's the rub. The Pennsylvania legislature, in requiring voters to show photo ID at the polls, intended to make it easy for residents without a drivers license to get a voter ID card by showing only a minimal amount of identification when they apply for one. But the state agencies responsible for issuing voter ID cards are instead insisting on more rigorous proof of identity than the new law requires.
Katherine Culliton Gonzales of the Advancement Project explains why the Pennsylvania voter ID case has been sent back to lower court.
The agencies are demanding that applicants produce a birth certificate stamped with a raised seal, a Social Security card, and two other forms of identification showing the current residence. The state agencies say if they give the cards out on the more relaxed basis spelled out in the new voter ID law, that would create a homeland security problem, because the cards can be used to board aircraft.
So today, the state Supreme Court instructed the judge to take another crack at this case and determine whether the state will actually make it difficult to get one of these ID cards.
Until then, the law remains in effect. But the court made it clear today that unless the state can demonstrate that the voter ID cards can be obtained in the more relaxed manner spelled out in the new law, then the court would almost certainly block the voter ID law before the general election in November.
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Voter ID law? Just call it what it is please. It's already been admitted in PA that: there are no cases of in person voter fraud and this law wouldn't do anything to stop it. In addition, it's been inferred that the passage of this law would "allow Mitt Romney to win" PA; undoubtedly referring to the inevitable elimination of Democratic electorate upon this "law"'s enaction.
"Cheat to Win" that is the RepubliCon platform. The vipers in the GOP (GREEDY OLE PARTY) know the snake oil they sell is not a cure for America and this economy; not to mention their insatiable desire to war profiteer in the Middle East.
The RepubliCons can not win unless they rig the vote.
BTW: Whose violating THE US Constitution? Ii's the 14th, 15th, 19th amendment s these blowhard are;
I don't like this, but at least the Judge is asking that people in charge prove that voters will have no difficulty getting these IDs in time for the election.
Terrible terrible attempt at voter suppression here in PA. Just terrible. All for what?
They know Romney can't win without it.
Well said Bev. They will "Cheat to Win"
Jim Crow has found a new home in the GOP. There is no voter fraud in this country and the Republican Party's hysterical efforts to institute restrictive voter laws are only intended to keep minorities, non-native born citizens, and the elderly from exercising their rights as Americans.
http://www.brennancenter.org/content/resource/policy_brief_on_the_truth_about_voter_fraud/
Ooops forgot the Voters Right Act of 65 these anarchist tea bangers are doing against the Constitution.
Nope, it's not President Obama trampling on the Constitution as the T- bangers say. It's these morons resting their genitals all over it in the contempt they have for a Black President.
FYI: They love it. Idiots!!!
Obama/Biden 2012
Sailcat, it's Jim Crow all over again. Nothing nothing makes me angrier than this. And so little pushback from the tv media other than Chris Matthews, Rev. Al etal on MSNBC's evening programs.
Amen, Pat.
Another deserved "nail in the coffin" of the GOP/TP hate campaign. Couldn't happen to a nicer bunch.
It appears that the PA courts are doing what they can to prevent an injustice.
If states are going to come up with laws regarding voting, any changes should not become effective for the current year of the enactment.
If states want to prevent fraud; fine. I've seen articles that say there is less than 1% voter fraud; but the GNOP continues to push for more regulations. If states want to be fair no new law should take effect until the following year and every person wanting/needing a state ID to vote should be granted and issued at the expense of the state. Why should anyone with federal rights to vote be denied if they can't afford the cost to obtain the ID required by the states.
I can all but guarantee that if the states were encumbered with the costs for new ID to everyone asking for them, the states would back off immediately.
OOOOOOOOHHHHH NNNOOOOOO!!!!!
How will Rombot steal the election now? There's not enough dependent dead beats in the red states to get him over 270.
Maybe Moroni will swoop down with the fiery sword of electoral justice.
Or the Great Pumpkin.
Whatever.
Rombot.Has.Nothing.
ForePlinger
Romney is not as lucky as GWB. He does not have a little bro governor to help him out.
GOP is simply showing conservatives principles can't win this election for them hence CHEATING. Isn't that a shame?
bayllie: it also looks unlikely that Mitt Romney will even be able to win Florida, let alone PA or Ohio. When you can't win the state that was stupid enough to elect a Medicare Fraud artist as a governor, you know you have some real troubles.
This is good news! Consider this: there are only 70 PennDOT offices in the entire state, and some are open only one day a week. Some residents would have to travel across three counties to get to an office for a photo ID. There are now only 34 working days until the election. How could all the voters who need photo ID's possibly be able to obtain them in time?
Unless the lower court is as crooked as a country mile, they must block the law.
I do find it humorous that he may not carry ANY of his home states. Wish we could just get Utah - to add insult to injury but I don't think that's possible.
Obama/Biden 2012
Xabre, there was just a case out about NAACP exc. Sowers I believe to be her last name. Was just sentenced to 5 yrs in federal prison for "Voter Fraud". If its not caught, how do we know it doesnt exist?? Is proving who you are so we have a free and fair election so hard to ask??
Each election, there are maybe five cases of in-person voter fraud over the course of the USA.
Hilter was elected to head his party by ONE VOTE.
Sailcat-2064101
Jim Crow has found a new home in the GOP. There is no voter fraud in this country and the Republican Party's hysterical efforts to institute restrictive voter laws are only intended to keep minorities, non-native born citizens, and the elderly from exercising their rights as Americans.
In deed it is; Sailcat
Whenever I get depressed or angry I read about those who in yesteryear were a part of the movement. This time I was reading a book about Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Click on this picture please If I were high I would have thought it was taken in the present day
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c3/1963_march_on_washington.jpg
======================================================
It took me a while to find the exact picture that was in the book I was re-reading. But, whadda you know it in Wikipedia.
4 more 4 44
Obama/Biden2012
The NAACP official committed voter fraud by filling out ABSENTEE ballots. Voter ID laws would NOT have stopped this from happening.
Almost every example of "voter fraud" is due to fraudulent absentee ballots or through destroying or altering ballots - not in person voting.
Again, there are almost ZERO examples of voter fraud that would be prevented by requiring picture IDs.
I am curious about the "boarding an airplane" line in the story. Does that mean I can use my voter ID to cross the border and get on a plane here in MI? I am confused :(!
Also--the "requirements be damned workers" that have decided to make it more difficult to get the ID as easily as the law suggests, are now unto themselves allowing the suppression!
It is not/has never been nor will it ever be necessary due to VOTER FRAUD. Christ--it takes more deaths and lawsuits to get a vehicle recalled than has been proven that there is fraudulent votes cast.
Sailcat-2064101-Jim Crow has found a new home in the GOP.
Jimmy never left. It only took a black man with unusual name to get him out of hibernation.
Job1
Well said Bev. They will "Cheat to Win"
Thank you Job1
That's why we need to be so ever more vigilant to help get out the vote.
Obama/Biden 2012
how many guns from cabela's can you buy without an ID? oh well, just pick and choose which part of the constitution you want to trash to fit your parties agenda.
he was convicted for fraudulently casting absentee ballots and absentee ballots are of no issue to Republicans. Why, you ask? Because absentee ballots benefit Republicans more than they benefit Democrats.
So the moral of this story is that Republicans have no issue with voter fraud as long as it benefits them. It only becomes an issue when the voters tend to lean Democrat.
Mitt Romney, on the tape, talks about a hypothetical dangerous situation. And all he can give as an example of his leadership is the fact that he will use the situation for his political gain.
Josh Marshall, h/t TOD:
In the newly released full Mojo/Romney tapes, about 4 minutes in on tape one, Romney starts to talk about what he refers to as “the Jimmy Carter election”, i.e., 1980. He then goes on to talk about how the hostage crisis and the failed rescue mission Desert One were pervasive issues through the 1980 election.
Then at the end he says that “if something of that nature presents itself I will work to find a way to take advantage of the opportunity.”
Are you freakin' kidding me - someone is actually using Ann Landers as historical fact? If you are going to post this crap, at least do a fact check to see if you have a leg to stand on.
http://www.snopes.com/history/govern/onevote.asp
Well, well, well, Pat, it looks like Romney forgot to tell his goon squad to take the ambassador hostage - alive. That he had a speech all prepared and ready to go within minutes after the embassy attack just doesn't pass the smell test.
maverick86
and Saddam Hussein has won 100% of vote so what is your point?
BTW, do you realize that Hitler's ideology alines beautifully with the one of the Republican Party?
except for how untrue that is but you say it LOUD AND PROUD!
Thanks for the link to the photo, Bev. The struggle for equal rights is not over, sadly.
It reminds me of a quote by that idiot, Mitt Romney:
"I saw my father march with Martin Luther King!" —GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney, bragging in 2007 about his family's record on civil rights. Romney later admitted he didn't technically see his father march with King, nor did his father ever march with the civil rights leader on the same day or in the same city.
YAWN. what a titmouse didnt get its day in court?
Pat Boston MA.
how do you like the fact that Scott Brown won't show himself (in any of his truck-driving informercials) with Romney but has linked himself to President Obama by saying that President Obama signed his bill?
Hehe, even Scott Brown won't touch Romney with a 10 foot pole.
Obama 2012
Warren 2012
Caesar Augustus-
YAWN. what a titmouse didnt get its day in court?
Needn't worry Little Caesar you and your larcenous t-bagger gang will get your day.
When the GOP attempts to silence the voices of minorities and the elderly, the battle for the rights of all citizens is still being fought. The fight is being waged in the courtrooms today and it will be won in the voting booths in November.
gang? Have you seen the Libsrus posse? What about the Occuhorde? But if you mean our day as in removing Obama, then perfect, cant wait. as for Larceny, you think GM is going to pay back its debt?
except that statement is fundamentally stupid.
Fundamentally stupid? Really, Caesar? You are making it too easy these days. I mean, you never were a challenge, but surely you can make it just a little sporting, can't you?
I mean, damn.
In Pennsylvania, voters are required to register at least 30 days before the election. They must sign a document that certifies their legal name, birth date, current address, and their driver's license number or Social Security number. Until their application is reviewed and unless it is approved, they cannot vote. When they go to the poll on election day, they must sign in and have their signature matched to the one they provided on their registration form.
Fake photo ID's are easily obtained. Ask any underage college student where they got an ID to get into a bar. Photo ID's are fine... but to place such a burden on so many people, so close to the election?
Pass a photo ID law if it floats your boat, but give voters more time to get an ID.
It will cost the state plenty if they decide to implement this law. The photo ID's must be provided free of charge (otherwise, the payment can be considered a poll tax) and there is a huge manpower cost to processing over 750,000 voter ID's.
To prevent zero cases of voter fraud, it's obviously not worth it.
Well, good for the Court. The implications of the law were made pretty clear when a PA State legislator, whose name escapes me, said Voter ID...check...thus ensuring Mitt Romney a win.
Mike Turzai... or as we like to call him, TURDzai.
I have just about had it.
Let everyone in this Country Vote. Heck, they do every place else, why not here also. Once we do, then let's make equal pay for all, even if you don't work. Finally, let's all pay for the sex change of the man that it is jail for life.
Hope and change, or is it Change and Hope for the best.
Nope. It's just that your hope of getting that ni99er out of the White House is getting dimmer and dimmer. You thought we wouldn't fight. Thought we would just turn the other cheek or roll over like a good dog. Guess you were wrong. As they say in the McDonalds ad "I'm lovin' it!"
tonybeeerm
Thats it Toni, every GOP and non Obama supporter is a racist. Did you even graduate highschool? That really is not only a dumb statement but astoundingly ignorant. How many on the left truly believe anyone who doesnt vote Obama is racist? (im thinking there are a bunch on FR that believe it).
Hey mister salad: I graduated from high school and college. I firmly believe that most of the objections to Obama are based on racism. Unless you conservies can ever state a rational reason for the vehemence against Obama, I will always be conviced of this. (And no, "he ruined the economy, raised the deficit and and lost jobs" is not a rational reason, because we all know that Gearge Bush caused those problems, no matter how loud you scream trying to convince us otherwise.)
Irving - It's clear they are mostly racist - as the majority of people know. Just read the comments and it's clear. But, the radical right will never admit it.
Obama/Biden 2012
You have just about had it... with the GOP?
Yeah, me too! In only 49 days, we will finally be able to kick Romney/ Ryan and all the Teabagging congresspeople to the curb!
Can't wait!!
Look at reality. Compare where we are now to where we were four years ago! Obama has been a good president, and if the public and congress were behind him instead of whining and obstructing, he would be a great president.
The only logical conclusion is that the ABO people are, quite simply, racists.
Irving thats a fine talking point that seems to be the mantra for his election. Hell is was the first time, lets see if it works again. Blame Bush, after all everyone says its his fault, that must make it true.
Who started his term with a surplus and a strong economy?
Who was left with an a huge deficit, economic collapse, two wars (incuding one with the wrong country), a still-at-large terrorist who actually attacked us, and publicly avowed total noncooperation from Congress?
Yeah, that Obama is a bumbling fool...
LOL, comparing Obama to Bush, well, lets compare a motoscooter to a tricycle... both will move you, but I wouldn't want to be on the highway with either one!
Obama is no fool, he gets to golf 96 times per year, work 45 days a year, meets with his security advisers 1 time per week, this dude has it made! I respect HIM!!
sooo tired of the race card. just accept it liberals Obama is a failure. but have faith because Romney can't keep his foot out of his mouth so you will get your 4 more years more than likely. the only one losing in this election is the American citizen no matter who wins.
But I guess golfing 5 times as much was okay for Ike because he was a...........?
And the SS Mitt Romney lists even more to the port side. IF this clown doesn't drink, he should start, because he's getting hammered every which way but loose. Even Clint can't help him now.
Tony, It would seem that the SS Mitt Romney is listing more toward the starboard side. Isn't Port a little too far to the left for him?
The analogy is that he's losing ground to the left, but who knows which way Robme leans. He changes all the time. The guy's changed his story so much, even he's confused.
I know there are dog whistles involved here, but I don't see a problem with requiring identification at the polls - assuming the identification doc is easily obtainable. (As always, the devil is in the details.)
My broader question is how in the world does somebody get by without a photo ID? I don't mean that as a criticism, but an honest question. How do they cash checks or anything else? Is there really people living 'off the grid' like that, working odd jobs and paid in cash, shopping in cash, no bank account, not driving a car, living in someone else's house or apartment and eligible to vote? Forget elections - I would think that no matter how arduous, they'd want to get an ID just to avoid the inconveniences not having one has to produce.
You bring up valid points Paul, but let's look at some closely.
Let's say that there are (and there are) many people living in someones home because they can't afford to pay rent. They can't pay rent because they are unemployed or underemployed. If they are so poor that they are living in this circumstance, they probably couldn't obtain a bank account or have a need for one because they may be working odd jobs and being paid "under the table"; such as day laborers do or not having any income whatsoever.
Would it be fair for a state to require that person to PAY for ID to vote? It is my opinion that every citizen should be able to vote unless there is some restrictive reason such as incarceration which prevents a person from voting. A person should be issued a photo ID from the state that requires such ID for voting purposes. Believe it or not, ANY additional cost to some people may be more than they can handle. It simply isn't fair to make a person pay a fee for ID to vote as it may prevent that person from their legal right to otherwise do so simply because they can't afford to pay for photo ID.
It is my opinion that is what is at the heart of the GOP insistance regarding new voting registration. The majority of the poor are NOT supporting the GOP cnadidates. So the GOP has nothing to lose and everything to gain by trying to enact these restrictive voting ID laws. They know that some people simply can't afford to pay for ID, so they don't and that prevents a vote going to the democrats.
Paul -
It's not just a case of having "a" photo ID; the new law here requires a very specific type that includes an expiration date, which leaves thousands of students, for example, out in the cold. And yes, most of the plaintiffs in the original case were elderly and/or disabled people who lived with relatives, did not drive, etc. In fact, one of the judges in this case commented last week that even his Supreme Court ID card would apparently not meet the new standards. So yes, the devil is in the details - and the state has done a very poor job of explaining them. And an even worse job of proving the system was ever broken to begin with.
PS - Here's a better example and explanation from the Washington Post than what I could give myself:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/decision2012/for-some-pennsylvanians-voter-id-quest-is-an-ordeal/2012/09/16/758d4f52-0027-11e2-b260-32f4a8db9b7e_story.html
Nomore - is the state responsible for transporting people to the polls who can't get there on their own? If not, then couldn't this be viewed as a form of election discrimination, too? I'm leaning toward recognition of common-sense limits on how far the state has to bend over backwards to accomodate every single voter's hardships. Of course that opens the debate to defining just where the line of common sense lies. But I'm not dismissing your points. That was well-stated.
JoAnne - wasn't defending the specific PA thing. From the article above, it seems like that particular plan has its flaws. I also can see the other side of this; what some parts of the state bureaucracy say about security. It's a tough call. I hate to sound all Republican here, but I suspect there's a whole lot more voter fraud than anyone admits. Bottom line is we only know about the handful of people who get caught. My family is originally from PA (Pittsburgh area), and I know there is a long standing joke about who is winning the deceased vote.
Paul - I kind of hate to "sound all Republican" myself (oh, perish the thought!) but in the LONG RUN, I would probably agree with you. Times are changing, and there are a number of reasons - besides voting - that I suspect some form of national photo ID will someday be required. And of course, it's been a long-standing joke about Philadelphia to encourage people to vote early and often - especially if you're dead.
But.....until someone can show some evidence that that's anything more than an old joke.....and until they can get the kinks worked out in time so that it's fair to everyone.....and until someone can explain to me why, after all these years, we had to rush this through so haphazardly in time for THIS election.....well, sorry, but I'll have to keep "sounding all Democrat" on this one.
Thanks to both you and nomoresameo for some refreshingly civil discussion, though!
A perfect example is my mother. She has a driver's license, but no longer drives. If she lets it expire, it is no longer a valid ID. She would have to provide a stamped birth certificate and other ID. She has no stamped birth certificate, just a faded copy from her birthplace in rural Kentucky.
Another problem is that her birth certificate has her name spelled one way, and other ID has it spelled another. Also, since she is married most of her other forms of ID have her married name, which differs again from her maiden name on the birth certificate.
You can easily see how it could be quite difficult for someone to assemble or reassemble the documents necessary to prove their identity under these rigorous standards, especially if they never had a driver's license or they let it expire.
nice discussion, and nice points made by all.
I must be in the wrong forum, excuse me while i go over to NBC FR!
Paul,
My late mother had no state ID. When she needed to go somewhere she had someone else take her. She had her checks automatically deposited into her checking account which she didn't need a photo ID, just a signature to open. She usually paid cash for her purchases as she didn't use her credit card for much and when she did no ID was asked of her. Her bills were paid by check from her account and not once did the power company or water company or even American Express ask for a photo ID. As odd as it may seem it is possible for one to live in an urban area without a photo ID.
Paul, do you understand that there a five license photo ID places in Phily, there are between 700.000 and 1 million people in Philly without photo ID. the state will not hire more people to make sure all people that want ID will have it by election day. They just recently said they will stay open a few more hours on thursday night. So. you tell me how all the people will have a photo ID by election day. These offices are not for just photo ID, these offices cover all pendot business. Also, this is the same republican judge that upheld the voter ID law to begin with. Bet he won't make a dicision before nov.7
Several years ago - not long after 9/11, in fact - I dug out my old birth certificate for the first time in 20 years or more, since at the time there were rumors of a national ID card akin to passports being required to help step up security. To my surprise, what I thought was my original birth certificate turned out to be a photo copy, and neither of my parents, who had long since divorced and sold our family home, could tell me where the original might be. I immediately went online to request a new one from the state - with the "raised seal" that is now being required. As I recall, it cost me about $10 or $12 at the time - plus postage fees. I have a hard time believing I'm the only person in the entire state who would have this same problem today if I hadn't done it back then.
By the way, after testimony concluded at the Supreme Court last week, I heard part of an interview with our Governor, Tom Corbett, asking him why this law was even necessary. He responded that Pennsylvania had a "long history" of voter impersonation fraud - but when pushed for more details, then said that he recalled ONE case - in a senate race - from somewhere back in the 1990's.
So why the rush to change the laws now? There are less than 50 days left before the election, and every time this case gets re-appealed and re-judged, there are that many fewer days for people to get a straight story on exactly what is required and how to get it.
By the way, the PA Supreme Court is currently made up of three Republican judges and three Democrats. It was pretty much expected that they would come to a draw on this appeal and the original ruling would thus stand. That they did otherwise says a lot.
JoAnne please take the time to look up when the pasted the voter ID law in your state. I has been months if not a year before the election. The democrats did not bring suit to this case in hopes of the law on being enforced because "we are still arguing it in court" and need more time. If you fear a fair election well that speaks for itself.
maverick86 - no one fears a fair election. That is what is wanted but that doesn't mean people have to be disenfranchised in the process.
I think JoAnne is quite clear on the subject, she doesn't need to look up anything. Maybe you should do some reading yourself.
BTW What is "pasted"?
Great commentary, JoAnne! It is so helpful to hear from a person with "boots on the ground". I have heard stories from folks in PA as well as OH who have said that in some areas they would have travel many miles to get to the nearest DMV. There are many hardships and the Republicans just keep throwing hoops for folks to jump through. They should all be ashamed of themselves for their tactics. I don't think that they realize that by doing this it just makes us fight back harder. What I find funny is that a person can register to vote online and not have to go through any crap. What sense does that make? Why aren't they going after that? I think what really bothers me more than anything is their tactical strategy at less polling booths and closing booths earlier so that those that work and are unable to get off work early, such as hard working single moms or the hard working men who are the only income in their families, so that they can be heard by their vote. We must do as much as we can to help those that need the help to get whatever ID these right wing nazi jack offs are requiring.
maverick -
The law here has been revised and updated a number of times in the last several months - I don't have time to find the link today, but I remember reading there have been something like nine different versions of it that the state has had to keep updating the informational literature about. Confusion abounds. Also, the court process does not happen overnight, as I'm sure you already know. The original suits were filed early on.
Please see my response to Paul M above. I'm not totally against this law. I do, however, strongly object to the way it was handled and the apparent rush to get it in place for THIS election.
PS to Alaska Girl (my favorite state!) - I've had a photo driver's license forever, so this doesn't apply to me - but the nearest DMV office when I need to renew it is over seven miles away. And they aren't exactly open 24/7.
I understand Seeking Sanity, but really everyone who intends to vote, should see it as there civic duty to properly insure zero voter fraud. I dont know how to do this other than providing some form of ID.
I am in total agreement with you on this, JoAnne. They really started chipping away at this back in 2010. Now, they are in full swing because they know that they have a very weak candidate and cheating is the only hope they have of getting Romney in.
maverick -
SOME form of ID is not what they are asking for. A state-issued picture ID with an expiration date is what most laws require.
Common sense does not apply - the restrictions on obtaining photo IDs, while understandable in a post-9/11 world, make it difficult for some to comply with the required paperwork - ALL of which has to be under the same name or accompanied by a marriage certificate.
Like Jon Stewart said, we need these laws like we need leash laws for unicorns - they both address a non-existent problem.
This problem is just a ploy by the right wing nut jobs to disenfranchise people who tend to vote Democrat as they know that they can't win on their platform.
Voter fraud at the polls is miniscule at most. Usually it is not enough to change the outcome of an election even when it does exist.
Some were upset because civic organizations had a drive in 2008 to get more registered voters from areas where more older or poverty stricken people live. There were cards turned in with names like Mickey Mouse but the registrar of voters culls that stuff when missed by the civic organization. One must sign the book when voting and the signatures will be compared to a master when challenged. A handwriting expert can check the signature on the registration card with the person casting a ballot and determine if there is enought difference to disqualify the voter.
Many years ago, when I turned 21 and could vote for the first time I showed my birth certificate to prove I was who I said I was and that I had achieved the proper age and was a citizen. Since then I have NEVER been asked for a picture ID. I have voted in two different states as I moved a couple of times and in neither state did I need to show ID when voting. Frankly, I think this is much ado about non-existant voter fraud.
Republicans:
What you cannot earn you must steal.
Good, its a start to a full repeal of Pa's voter suppression law. there is no voter fraud anywhere in the country, fact!
Obama 2012
Democrat - Get out the vote.
Republican - Keep out the vote.
It sounds like the liberals here are saying that democrats are the only ones without ID. Why is that?
Because the people impacted by these laws are predominantly lower income, elderly, younger or minority voters who tend to vote Democratic.
Also because if it was not mostly Democratic-leaning voters who would be impacted then Republicans wouldn't try and pass laws to solve non-existent problems!
Devie thanks for pointing out my spelling error. And I really wanted JoAnne to look because every state is different. If she is a citizen of that state then she would have a case if it was just imposed before a huge national election, but in most cases that I am aware of the laws were "passed" last year.
One is not a citizen of a state. In this country, one is a citizen of the United States of America, even if born in Hawaii. One is a resident of a state.
Thanks for clearing that up for me Ceelle. One is a number, Oneself is a reference to an individual.
As a Pennsylvanian, I was happy to hear the Supreme Court decision although I would have preferred that they strike down the law, period. I think the law is probably okay but it should not be in effect for this election. They need at least 2-3 years to get these photo I.D.s to everyone. I don't know why a social security card or Medicare card cannot be used to get a photo I.D.
Average Americans and Poor Americans do not pour millions of dollars into city, county, state, or federal elections. Many elderly voters cannot remember where their birth certificate is, and many stopped driving a car years ago, or never owned a car period. As a Republican Voter for over fifty-years, I have decided that the real fight for America is in the states that are trying to return America to a time when Poor Blacks were turned away from the polls, or charged a fee to vote, or hung on their way to vote. Unlike most of the people trying to block voter's rights, I served my country in a war zone, and I am going to join the fight that is focused on stealing the vote from Average, Poor, Black, Hispanic, and Latino Americans. I would love to see a list of those who have dumped hundreds of millions into the coffers of these movements, that is a list I would love to see. If you happen to see such a list, please post it.
This is all a Scam by Republicans to run Honest Elections where only people who prove they are the person who is registered can vote.
All this is intended to do is destroy the crooked Democratic system of people illegally voting. And frankly, stopping voter fraud is racist, among other things.
What voter fraud?
http://www.brennancenter.org/content/resource/policy_brief_on_the_truth_about_voter_fraud/
The voter fraud that goes undetected
Then what makes you think there is any voter fraud? What is the point of the illegal and restrictive voter registration laws if no one can find any evidence of voter fraud? The right wing lunatic fringe must be pretty desperate if they let you into their club.
Chesty and maverick, back up your statements with facts. And to be nice, before you spend hours looking, I'll tell you right now you can't.
All you have is a suspicion fed to you by conspiracy theorists and political pundits trying to advocate a specific agenda. That is NOT enough to take action that will knowingly disenfranchise legal voters. There is NO compelling reason for this law.
The voter fraud that goes undetected? Can you prove that there is voter fraud that goes undetected? Or, is that just another Right wing "fact"? You know, the kinds of "facts" that the right wing believe. Their own special definition of the word "fact".
Leftist Clowns, you make good points....and since all we know that a John Smith is on the voter rolls and someone claiming to be him voted for him, we have no proof of voter fraud.
See---no proof! So, there must be no problem.
BRB, I'm going to go vote for Barack Obama in Chicago. See, there's someone named Barack Obama on the rolls, and I'm going to say I am him and vote. Voila! Wait...I should really find an old guy who won't show up and cause difficulties by actually voting...hmmm thinking this over.
Oh yah, invalid down the street. Who knew he'd be voting Republican this fall after a life of Democratic support. Magic.
And, no proof of fraud. He voted. No really. I look like a Robert Peterson, right?
You have no evidence of voter fraud, Chesty. Research has shown it is virtually non-existent in the US. If there is no voter fraud, then what are you whining about?
http://www.brennancenter.org/content/resource/policy_brief_on_the_truth_about_voter_fraud/
Fail, Chesty.
Chesty, rant all you want. Facts are facts. If you agree that voter ID is something that must be imposed on people w/o any substantiated compelling reason, then YOU are effectively advocating for the "legal" disenfranchisment of citizen voters, to include veterans. YOU are advocating for the deliberate violation their Constitutionally protected right to vote!
What part of the Constitution do you intend to pee on next? You going to advocate that only ONE religion be allowed in the US because another might (via unsubstantiated claim) raise the dead so they can vote liberally? Or how about denying the right to own guns to the liberal segment of the population because they might (via unsubstantiated claim) try to take over polling stations and stuff ballot boxes?
Chesty, don't let others' vitriol or paranoia blind you to reality.
What makes you think there is none? You trust a system that requires nothing but a persons word. You know what your "right" people never lie.
Until there is evidence it exists, your delusional claims are all bull@!$%#.
Wow
There it was in black and white.
If you want to fly you will be oppressed.
So when do we start suing the airlines for wingless suppression?
None of what was described is a burden, it is almost identical to what was required to get into the DNC convention.
the Bush administration had their investigation from 2001 until 2007 and they located 86 confirmed cases of voter fraud. 90% of it involved the elderely with Alzheimers and many immigrants who thought applying for citizenship meant the right to vote.
There have been many cases of Voter Registration fraud. Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck have registered in all 50 states but as of yet no sightenings at a voting precint.
Voter registration is often unemployed paid per registrant or petetion signer so prone to abuse. But not a "crime"
1100 felons voted for Al Franken. It was their vote which put him in the Senate.
only 86? not even the tip of a pin.
http://www.nypost.com/p/blogs/capitol/was_al_franken_elected_by_vote_fraud_Ige4Z6HxpXOmCgKlpmgyZM
The NY Post has become a republican rag.
It is very simple America! The ID Law is NOT Constitutional. That is fact!
Since when did Obama and the Progressives start caring about what the Constitution says?
If you don't have an ID you must be a criminal to begin with.
You should have an ID that is yours whether you vote or not.
Not a fake ID either. A real one.
Obama was elected by voter fraud.
Obama is not a natural born American Citizen.
Obama was born in Kenya and has no right to be POTUS.
Harry Reid was also re-elected by voter fraud.
Is that you, Rush?!!!
Here we go again, the liberal democrats can't say one thing about solving the real issues but they jump all over any statment made by Romney and nbc, msnbc, cnn, cbs and abc run it for weeks. I guesss O-bama never says what's really in that empty head of his. And chubby cheeks, Carter's grandson, has nothing better to do than spy on the conservative canidate. Just like his grandaddy, can't tackle real issues. He'll never get even for Jimmy's mess, not in my life time or his. Bring on the clowns; biden, pelosi, frankin, reid, wasserman, ect. o-bama will probably win and I'm ashamed of the low this country has fallen to. Make sure all of you o-bama lovers bring your utilitiy bills to the voting polls to prove your a registered voter, while the rest of us do it legally.
It is general knowledge that there has been very little, if any, voter fraud in our elections across the US. And when you consider that we've seen a few voters who think they are funny, claiming to be Mickey Mouse, those pranksters are counted as fraudulent and retrieved by election boards. Essentially, there is no voter fraud, so why make it tough on certain Americans to vote? Why try to discourage Americans from voting? Voting is a precious American right and no political party should tinker with that right in an attempt to disinfranchise certain voters.
If the only way republicans can win elections is by compromising opposition voters in the US, perhaps its time they consider getting out of politics. After all, when we witness these sleazy tricks, we need to ask ourselves, who are the fraudulent individuals, a couple of Mickey Mouses or the republican party.
Tell me . Is there any comment sites that isn't made up of these hateful, and I do mean HATEFUL democrats? There is about 75-80 comments on this page and 65- 75 of them are from foul mouthed raging dems. Oh. By the way. Its confirmed> UBL is truly dead. How do I know? He's registered to vote in Chicago. Have a nice day.