The trial over Pistolvania’s voter identification law (a law someone brilliantly described as “a bad solution looking for a problem”) continues in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. I would say that it’s not going to end up well for the state, but you never know with these Commonwealth Court Judges. This is what Judge Simpson said: “This is a high-profile case. There’s a lot of anxiety here,” he said. “There will be a lot of people very unhappy with my decision no matter what I do.” But, he said, “take heart,” because the case will likely go to higher courts before it is over. Oh ohh. Anyway, I don’t want to get into a lot of legalese, but the state has to show a compelling state interest if this law is to be upheld. This is the type of scrutiny that is applied to laws such as this that deals with voting rights.
The state is trying hard to show that they are doing everything in their power to insure that everyone will have access to proper state ID cards, and (probably realizing that it would be foolish to do so) are not even arguing that they are implementing these laws to prevent voter fraud. Still, there is no denying that a million people will be affected if this law is passed, and these people will have their access to the ballot box denied. This would be sad for Pistolvania and for our country.
Most of the people affected by this law will be older, poorer, and browner, which would explain why republicans couldn’t wait to pass it. One republican lawmaker here in Pistolvania, in an unguarded moment, even admitted the real reason for the law: “The Pennsylvania law fanned partisan flames when Republican state House Majority Leader Mike Turzai, who helped pass the law, said at a party gathering: “Voter ID … is going to allow [presumptive GOP presidential nominee] Gov. [Mitt] Romney to win the state of Pennsylvania, done.” Thank you for your honesty Mr. Turzai.