Pa. lawmakers pass voter ID bill

[PA Democrat]

State lawmakers gave their final approval today to a measure requiring voters to show photo identification at the polls, sending the bill for Republican Gov. Tom Corbett's signature.

The bill was approved on a vote of 104-88 after three days of often-contentious debate. Gov. Corbett has said he supports the measure and intends to sign it immediately.

Beginning with the fall general election, voters will be required to present a photo identification card issued by the state or federal government or by universities, nursing homes, counties or municipalities in Pennsylvania.

In November, voters without a required document will be given a provisional ballot and must verify their identity within six days in order for that ballot to be counted.

http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/news/politics-state/pa-lawmakers-pass-voter-id-bill-285912/

ACLU plans to file a lawsuit as soon as Corbett signs the bill.

[drm604]

1. Dammit!

This is my state.

[mother earth]

2. I want as much attention and a bill to ensure the sanctity and count of the vote...the real issue is

never addressed.

[drm604]

3. Excellent Point

[EC]

4. Why are they bothering when the law suits aren't going

their way? It's almost as though they are trying to push it to the Supremes to have it okayed by their court.

[Flagrante]

5. The Rethugs read the writing on the walls

Rethugs see the ground swell of youth and minorities comming, most of them thinking progressives, and they are scared. So they try everything in their power, like voter ID laws and gerrymandering Kucinich out of a job, to try to hang on to the power that they feel slipping slowly from of their fingers. They know that they have a dreadful lineup of presidential candidates, their economic poster boy Walker is headed for an embarrassing defeat, there's a black-Socialist-Marksist-Kenyan-non American-Muslim in the White House who they are afraid of and don't understand, and they can't figure out what's got the lady's all upset. Their worldview is becoming more and more obsolete.

[PA Democrat]

6. Corbett has signed the bill into law.

Gov. Tom Corbett signed into law Wednesday night a bill requiring voters to show photo identification at the polls in November.

The signing came hours after the General Assembly cleared the bill.

Voters at the April primary polls will be asked to show photo identification but can still cast ballots without it. During a signing ceremony at the Capitol, Mr. Corbett, a Republican, described the requirement as "a law of prevention" that would ensure fair elections.

"I believe what you will see is increased participation, because that's what we've seen many other times when voter ID laws were imposed," he said. "I think you measure it by hopefully increased voter participation, and when people understand that they have to show their photo ID, they come back with their photo ID or they send it in after they did a provisional ballot."

http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/local/state/corbett-quickly-signs-voter-id-measure-318430/

On what planet do impediments to voting lead to "increased participation"? With stunning logic like that, it is no wonder our state is so f***ed.