Republican Reaction
Gov. Tom Corbett issued the following response to the Commonwealth Court ruling:
“Now that the court has upheld the constitutionality of the law, we can continue to focus our attention on ensuring that every Pennsylvania citizen who wants to vote has the identification necessary to make sure their vote counts.’’
Secretary of the Commonwealth Carol Aichele, whose department oversees elections in Pennsylvania, also issued a statement:
“I am pleased Judge Simpson affirmed the constitutionality of the voter ID law. This law will reinforce the principle of one person, one vote. By giving us a reliable way to verify the identity of each voter, the voter ID law will enhance confidence in our elections.
“We will continue our outreach efforts to make sure all legal Pennsylvania voters know about the law, and know how to get a free ID to vote if needed.”
House Majority Leader Mike Turzai (R-Allegheny) said, “The integrity of each and every valid vote was upheld today. As the court said, the requirements of Act 18 will be implemented in a non-partisan, even-handed manner by Commonwealth agencies, and qualified voters will have their votes counted.
“The many election reforms enacted, including voter ID, are aimed to ensure citizens and registered voters have the right to vote and have their vote counted. It’s about one person, one vote, and each instance of fraud dilutes legitimate votes.
“It is unfortunate, but there has been a history of voter fraud in Pennsylvania.
“The elections in the Commonwealth will be on a more level playing field thanks to voter ID and other recent election reforms.”
Democratic Reaction
Senate Democratic Leader Sen. Jay Costa (D-Allegheny) issued the following statement in reaction to the Commonwealth Court’s decision.
The case is expected to be appealed to the state Supreme Court. Senate Democrats filed an amicus brief in support of granting a preliminary injunction.
Testimony presented in court indicated that as many as three-quarters of a million Pennsylvanians may not have PennDot or other government issued photo IDs. Experts who studied the law said that as many as 14 percent of eligible voters may not possess photo ID.
During Senate consideration, Republicans turned aside numerous Democratic amendments aimed at problems identified in the legislation. The amendments would have exempted seniors, students and others who would face obstacles to voting.
“The decision of the court is highly disturbing and disconcerting. Without question, the goal of the voter ID law was to disenfranchise voters and suppress voting so that Republicans could gain the upper hand in this fall’s presidential election.
“This law was never about preventing voter fraud. The state’s attorneys stipulated that there was no evidence of fraud and witness after witness presented details about the obstacles that they face in trying to comply with the law.
“Taking away a citizen’s right to vote and participate in a democracy is a serious matter. No one who is eligible to vote should be prevented from casting their ballot.
“The right to vote deserves to be protected and participation should be secured not shredded. That is why I am hopeful that the Supreme Court will step in and restore a person’s right to vote by overturning the ruling of Commonwealth Court.”
House Democratic Leader Frank Dermody (D-Allegheny) also commented on the Court’s decision:
“I’m extremely disappointed in today’s ruling, which will deny thousands of eligible Pennsylvania voters their constitutional right to vote.
“Today’s ruling is a travesty not just for those Pennsylvanians whose right to vote will be stripped away by this law but for all Pennsylvanians and all American citizens. A threat to one person’s right to vote is a threat to us all.
“I sincerely hope the Supreme Court will right this terrible wrong and will overturn this decision in time for the November elections. The Commonwealth’s highest court should see what the rest of the nation so plainly does – that this law is a scam.
“We must remain vigilant, continue to fight and make the case that the right to vote is not just our most sacred as Americans but also our most fragile. We cannot allow partisan gamesmanship to trump American citizenship.”
