Did we just lose Pennsylvania?

[pnwmom]

Their voter ID law, disenfranchising hundreds of thousands of Democratic voters, was just upheld.


From the NYTimes:

http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/08/15/pennsylvania-judge-upholds-voter-id-law/?hp


A Pennsylvania judge on Wednesday refused to grant an injunction on a new voter identification law that Democrats say could harm President Obama’s re-election chances by unfairly targeting minorities, college students and others in a key swing state.

The decision by Robert Simpson, a commonwealth court judge, clears the way for Pennsylvania to require voters in the Nov. 6 general election to produce photo identification before they are allowed to cast ballots.

SNIP

The American Civil Liberties Union is expected to appeal the decision to the State Supreme Court, which is split evenly between Democrats and Republicans. A tie would affirm the law.

[suston96]

1. Put away the suicide kit......

That was only one judge and one court. A way to go yet.

[pnwmom]

2. The State Court is evenly split, and a tie would affirm the law.

And the US Supreme Court has already approved Indiana's similar law.

[Dawson Leery]

3. The state supreme court is supposed to hear this next.

[pnwmom]

4. And will probably affirm the law, unless a Republican decides to reject it.

How likely do you think that would be?

From the article at the OP:

"The American Civil Liberties Union is expected to appeal the decision to the State Supreme Court, which is split evenly between Democrats and Republicans. A tie would affirm the law. "

Also, SCOTUS has already approved Indiana's similar law.

[dragonlady]

6. The chief justice might vote against it

According to attorney Michael Smerconish (who sometimes subs for the progressive radio hosts), the Republican chief justice voted with the Democrats to reject a redistricting map drawn for the Republicans. So there is hope.

http://articles.philly.com/2012-08-12/news/33168222_1_castille-voter-id-law-voter-id

Prudence would also dictate making a large effort to get IDs for as many people as possible, just in case.

[demgrrrll]

7. The guy from Pennsylvania that is on with C Matthews from time to time said that either way they

are on top of this.

[Drunken Irishman]

5. Doubt it.

[Anansi1171]

8. Then why are we simply discussing it in mid-august...

...where an effort to get democratic voters to get ID if needed and plan to vote remain?

[pnwmom]

9. I don't know what they're doing in PA. Not much I can do in WA. n/t

[CBHagman]

17. On Ed Schultz's show tonight there was discussion...

...of the efforts the churches and the labor unions are making to get people ready for the election, IDs and all.

It seems the NAACP is involved too, and a diverse group of clergy and communities!

[url]http://www.phillytrib.com/newsarticles/item/5329-city-leaders-push-for-voter-registration.html[/url]

The VIP guests on the dais, representing and supporting the Pennsylvania Voter ID Faith-Based Coalition/Voter ID Rally at Bright Hope, included a diversity of ethnicities, genders, faiths, political hierarchy and community leadership: Rev. Dr. J. Wendall Mapson Jr., pastor, Monumental Baptist Church; Everette Gillison, chief of staff, Mayor’s Office; Stephanie Singer, chair, Philadelphia County Commissioners; Rev. Charles Quann, pastor, Bethlehem Baptist Church (Penllyn, Pa.); Rabbi Alan D. Fuchs (retired), Congregation Rodeph Shalom; Rev. Bonnie Camarda, Hispanic Clergy Community; Minister Rodney Muhammad, Muhammad Mosque No. 12; Imam Suetwedien Muhammad, resident imam of Masjid Muhammad of Philadelphia; state Representative Cherelle Parker; Rev. Dr. Kevin R. Johnson, pastor, Bright Hope Baptist Church; Rabbi Adam Zeff, Germantown Jewish Center; Rev. Tamieka Moore, Tenth Memorial Baptist Church; Rev. Dr. William Moore, pastor, Tenth Memorial Baptist Church; and Ellen Kaplan, vice president and policy director at Committee of Seventy/Greater Philadelphia Area.

(SNIP)

Rabbi Zeff said his synagogue and the Jewish community are very active in advocating for voter rights for all people saying, “we thought with the passage of the Voting Rights Act (of 1965) that our fight was over and that we had won; and now we’re finding that our fight is not over, and that the right to vote is being attacked, even in our (current day). So, we see this as an issue of justice and equality, that whoever people support for an election, and whatever partisan views that they may have, their voice deserves to be heard. And this (voter ID) law … makes it more difficult, especially for certain classes of voters, who have every right to vote, to be able to exercise that right. It’s an unjust law … we need to work to help voters comply with this law, even while thinking, it’s an unjust law.”

“People need help in navigating the law and navigating the process, and we just want to be available as faith leaders, because we feel it is our responsibility to speak for social justice issues and for equality. We just want to help empower (citizens) so that they can make their voices heard through the ballot, which is the democratic way,” said Rev. Mapson.

The Committee of Seventy, a prominent non-profit that advocates for effective government and fair elections, has published a list of area churches where the community can find information and help with voter ID requirements.

[Zen Democrat]

10. There will be an appeal.

[pnwmom]

11. And why would you expect to win that? The judges are split between Repubs and Dems,

and a tie will uphold the law.

Also, the Supreme Court has already approved Indiana's similar law.

[budkin]

12. No way

We have a sizable lead there and the voter ID law won't be enough to overcome it.

[bigdarryl]

13. Just another reason to vote locally when elections come up

Judges are important also

[Robbins]

14. 538

Nate Silver has spoken on this and says It would only cut 2 percent off of Obama's lead.If say OObama leads by 7 In polls he would
win by 5.

focus on trying to challenge the law In SUpreme court and helping dmeocratic voters learn what they need to be able to vote.

[JRLeft]

15. I think some of you are underestimating how bad this is.

[ailsagirl]

16. Concerned

[jaysunb]

18. The DOJ will intervene

This law is probably a violation of section 2 of the VRA. I expect they will file for a federal injunction shortly.

[pnwmom]

19. And then the Supreme Court will overrule the DOJ. They've already upheld

a similar Indiana law.

[Grown2Hate]

20. Nope. There is NO doubt that this is a SHIT law aimed at doing NOTHING but

suppressing votes, but I think it's effect is being overstated. At MOST I think this buys the Repukes 3 points, and President Obama is going to carry PA by more than that; SAFELY.

It doesn't mean that we don't want to support efforts to educate voters and assist in efforts to help them get IDs, but it doesn't worry me. It PISSES me OFF, but it doesn't worry me. It will force us to redouble our efforts and fight harder, and that's NEVER a bad thing.

[dsteve01]

21. Pennsylvania is Republican Fools Gold

Posted that in another thread, but it's true, OP. It's true.

Let the Republicans blow hard on Pennsylvania. Even if they win it--it will be at the cost of alienating the whole country.

[HopeHoops]

22. Don't think that way yet. Even with 750K Obama voters out of the pool, he'll still win the state.

Besides, while the court is a 3-3 split, Orie's out of the picture and the court does have a history of overturning shit like this. Besides, the state couldn't show any instance of voter fraud and the ruling doesn't even touch on Turzai's admission that the law exists to help rMoney (although his statements ARE in the record). The court has said it will rule in a timely manner for Nov. 6.