Conyers Praises Pennsylvania Court’s Voter ID Ruling

(WASHINGTON) – Today, Judge Robert Simpson of the Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania partially blocked the state of Pennsylvania’s voter ID law. Specifically, the court struck down two provisions of the law that required voters to show their IDs within six days or appear before the county board of elections.  Although the injunction applies to the election this November, the Judge stated that future hearings would be scheduled on the merits of the case brought by the plaintiffs. Further, election officials may still ask to see an individual’s ID, but an ID will not be required to cast a regular ballot. Ranking Member John Conyers, Jr. (D-Mich.) released this statement following the court’s decision:

“I applaud Judge Simpson for granting a preliminary injunction in part on the state’s voter ID law, blocking the requirement that a voter must show a photo identification before casting a ballot in this November election. This ruling recognizes that voter ID laws discourage and disenfranchise citizens from engaging in the right to vote,” said Conyers.

“This particular voter ID law was not common sense nor would it have deterred voter fraud that Pennsylvania lawmakers purported to exist. The law would have burdened minority, disabled, youth, elderly, and veterans populations, many of whom are less able to procure the required identification prior to Election Day. While effectively restricting access to the polls for innumerable Pennsylvania citizens, the law favored gun owners and the employed by including narrow exceptions to the photo identification requirement.

“The right to vote is at the heart of democracy in America, and serves as the cornerstone of all of our Constitutional freedoms. It is my hope that other states will come to recognize that voter ID laws are nothing short of voter suppression and a direct offense against our fundamental right to vote.”

Voting is beautiful, be beautiful ~ vote.©

Conyers Welcomes Pennsylvania Supreme Court Decision Against Voter ID Law

(WASHINGTON)—Today, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, in a 4-2 decision, instructed a judge on the lower Commonwealth Court to cease implementation of the state’s Voter ID law and for the lower court to further review the case. Specifically, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court instructed the Commonwealth Court to determine whether or not the law disenfranchises voters, and to assess the ease of access to ID cards. Ranking Member John Conyers, Jr. (D-Mich.) released this statement following the decision:     

“I commend the Pennsylvania Supreme Court for calling into question the lower court’s findings on Voter ID laws, and for directing the lower court to re-examine the effect these laws have on the right to vote,” said Conyers.

“The law as it stands places significant restrictions on the right to vote by imposing photo ID requirements. More troubling, the exceptions to photo ID favors gun owners and the employed, and excludes poor voters, unemployed voters, and even veterans who do not have the stricter forms of ID. Simply put, upholding this law would amount to voter suppression and a restriction of the franchise.

“Fair and free elections, accessible to all, is a core principle for democracy in America. There is no more fundamental right than the right to vote, the bedrock of all of our rights under the Constitution.  We are now at a crossroads; we can continue to expand the right to vote, as we have done since the historic passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, or we can retreat to a modern day version of poll taxes.”

Voting is beautiful, be beautiful ~ vote.©