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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsPssssssssssst-Penn Supreme court scrutinizes voter ID, justice labels it 'unconstitutional'
http://www.phillyburbs.com/news/local/the_intelligencer_news/supreme-court-scrutinizes-voter-id-justice-labels-it-unconstitutional/article_205a817f-5344-583e-b0e6-3f336d2e64a3.html<snip>
Pennsylvania Supreme Court Judge Seamus P. McCaffery has an official photo ID signed by the states chief justice.
That card unlocks doors to secure buildings throughout the state. Yet its not good enough to prove his eligibility as a voter in the upcoming presidential election.
The legality and, to a somewhat greater extent, the mechanics of Pennsylvanias voter ID law came under the scrutiny of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court on Thursday.
It seems that it just creates an additional qualification to vote and, if thats the case, then its unconstitutional, said McCaffery.
Supreme Court Justice Debra McCloskey Todd said the law could block longtime voters from participation in elections.
It does appear to impact voters who have already been registered and demonstrated voters, said Todd. And, so it does appear to be in conflict with the language of our constitution.
A panel of six justices listened to oral arguments in the lawsuit filed on behalf of 10 Pennsylvania voters, among them 89-year-old Joyce Block of Doylestown.
Block said she ran into trouble getting a photo ID from PennDOT because of discrepancies between her birth and marriage certificates.
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How's that voter supression going ReTHUGs
spanone
(135,874 posts)porphyrian
(18,530 posts)malaise
(269,157 posts)Can't wait for a ruling
still_one
(92,396 posts)porphyrian
(18,530 posts)PCIntern
(25,584 posts)He used to hold court at the stadium during Eagles games to nail miscreants, or people who were termed miscreants by our "infalible" police and security guards. Talk about weird...he convened court and set bail and whatever...but he's right on the money on this one.
Zalatix
(8,994 posts)garthranzz
(1,330 posts)And any wordy from the others?
Judges sometimes do the right thing, because they feel they're not beyond party - and power.
Cosmocat
(14,572 posts)Just a hair more hope that one of three Rs will have a conscience vs the mindless twit R who ruled on it the first go around.
MadrasT
(7,237 posts)But may be the swing vote in this case:
Castille is a Republican but hes from Philadelphia and hes a very thoughtful person and you can see that, said Heckel, as she watched the hearing.
I am on pins & needles waiting for the decision.
MgtPA
(1,022 posts)"As chief, he works hardest at ensuring people view the court with respect. Hes well aware of the legacy that he wants to leave and is taking great steps to make this not a partisan court, said West Chester lawyer Sam Stretton, who has argued cases before the high court.
The most obvious example: his recent vote to side with the three Democratic justices in overturning a plan to revamp the districts of state lawmakers. GOP lawmakers wrote that plan.
Generally, people say he tends to be pro-government in criminal justice matters that come before the court, and pro-individual rights in civil matters. Some commend him for writing searching opinions, and he is thought to be a judge who works through issues carefully."
http://www.pennlive.com/specialprojects/index.ssf/2012/08/profile_pennsylvania_supreme_c.html
Here's hoping...
avebury
(10,952 posts)yortsed snacilbuper
(7,939 posts)so, the court has three Democrats and three repubs, so if the vote is three for and three against it will stand, so lets hope one of the repubs do the right thing!
MadrasT
(7,237 posts)We can *hope* she gets sent to prison though.