Pennsylvania Voter ID Law Put On Hold, But Damage Done
A Pennsylvania judge put on hold a controversial law that would have required voters to present a photo id to vote saying that there hadn't been enough time for many of those who need an id to get one.
Supporters of the law say it is needed to prevent voter fraud. Critics of the law claim that it is all about suppressing the vote of the minority, poor, and elderly who generally vote Democrat.
If you have any doubt that these laws are more about politics than election integrity just watch this video of Republican Pennsylvania lawmaker Mike Turzai stating that the law --is gonna allow Governor Romney to win the state of Pennsylvania""
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EuOT1bRYdK8
When asked about allegations of the law being politically motivated, backers consistently claim that such laws are very much needed to prevent voter fraud. In reality, actual voter fraud cases are extremely rare numbering in the single digits even in large states like Texas and even during presidential election years when voter turnout is greatest.
The state of Pennsylvania has even stated that there has never been a case of "in-person" voter fraud in their state. When voter fraud does occur it generally involves absentee voting. Laws requiring photo id do not address concerns over absentee voting, only in-person voting. Statistics show that over 700,000 Pennsylvania voters do not have a driver's license and therefore, probably don't have a photo id.
Still, opponents of the Pennsylvania law say that the damage is done. Voters have been told that they will need a photo id and this will keep some of them away on election day even though it is no longer true.
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