A Pennsylvania judge has blocked the enforcement of a Pennsylvania Voter I.D. law just 35 days before the presidential election on November 6.
A Pennsylvania judge on Tuesday blocked the state from enforcing its strict voter ID law before the presidential election, citing "disenfranchisement" concerns. The ruling in a vital battleground state comes five weeks before the election.
The ruling, which could still be appealed, followed two days of testimony about the state's efforts to make it easier to get a valid photo ID, as well as possible hurdles for those seeking proper identification.
The challenge to the six-month-old law is one of several across the country to laws -- largely backed by Republican legislators -- requiring voters to show photo identification.
Republicans say the laws are necessary to prevent election fraud. But Democrats, who in Pennsylvania joined up with the AARP and NAACP in opposition, claim residents could be blocked from exercising their right to vote.
The NAACP is applauding the move:
Benjamin Todd Jealous, President & CEO of the NAACP:
“Today’s ruling is a victory for the Pennsylvania voter. On November 6, voters will no longer need to produce an identification to ensure that their vote is counted. As we look towards 2013, the Pennsylvania NAACP will take this battle from the courts to the legislature. We are confident that this state will not tolerate voter suppression.”
Jerome Mondesire, President of the NAACP Pennsylvania State Conference:
“The ruling today is encouraging for all Pennsylvanians. Unfortunately, it is a decision that should have been made a long time ago. With 35 days left until Election Day, the state must work with the NAACP and other leading organizations to limit voter confusion. We will work to ensure that poll workers do not wrongly enforce the law, and that all counties are monitored on Election Day."
The ruling comes after True the Vote found multiple cases of rampant voter fraud across the country.
Ohio & Florida
Similar to last week’s findings of voters committing interstate absentee ballot fraud, True The Vote cross-referenced entire voter registration lists between Ohio and Florida and alerted appropriate authorities to voters with matching full names, birthdates, addresses and voting histories demonstrating ballots cast in multiple states in a single federal election.
True The Vote found more than 19,000 Ohio voters claiming Florida mailing addresses, according to state records. More than 6,390 people hold registrations in both states. True The Vote identified 534 individuals allegedly casting ballots in both Ohio and Florida. Today 34 cases were turned over to federal and state authorities.
“To his credit, Ohio Secretary of State Jon Husted has indicated he is taking steps to address the situation with respect to voter roll maintenance,” Engelbrecht said. “However, these findings are particularly troubling given Ohio’s wholesale approach to dispensing absentee ballots for all this year. This combination of poor voter roll maintenance, emerging evidence of interstate fraud and Ohio’s new policy of absentee voting for all could create a perfect storm. The last thing we want is a repeat of the 2000 Election – this time by mail.”
New York & Florida
True The Vote offers new findings of absentee voter fraud between New York and Florida. Citing a new sample of less than one (1) percent of upstate New York voters, TTV found 48,630 voters claiming Florida mailing addresses. Of that sample, more than 19,000 are registered to vote in both states. Today federal and state officials were alerted to 32 new cases of interstate fraud between the Empire and Sunshine States.
Rhode Island & Florida
True The Vote also reports instances of voter fraud between Rhode Island and Florida. After the comprehensive cross-reference process, TTV found 53 Rhode Island voters claimed Florida addresses. More than 15 are currently registered in both states, with two (2) having voted.
Federal and state laws were potentially violated as a result of these activities. Ohio, New York, Rhode Island and Florida each require voters to cast ballots corresponding with their permanent residential addresses. Federal law, specifically 42 U.S.C. § 1973i(e) clearly states that voters cannot cast more than one ballot in the same election.
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