# Judge orders partisans to stop asking voters for ID outside Homestead polls **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [November 6, 2012, 5:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/judge-orders-partisans-to-stop-asking-voters-for-id-outside-homestead-polls/640105 "2012-11-06T17:14:03Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![MegaBee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f0a364/32.png) [@MegaBee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MegaBee)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2012, 5:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/judge-orders-partisans-to-stop-asking-voters-for-id-outside-homestead-polls/640105/1 "2012-11-06T17:14:03Z")
Looks like some Republicans in SW Pennsylvania have been bad boys: [http://www.wpxi.com/news/news/local/judge-orders-partisans-stop-asking-voters-id-outsi/nSyRK/](http://www.wpxi.com/news/news/local/judge-orders-partisans-stop-asking-voters-id-outsi/nSyRK/) ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2012, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/judge-orders-partisans-to-stop-asking-voters-for-id-outside-homestead-polls/640105/2 "2012-11-06T17:16:31Z")
The shit just never stops with these assholes. ---
**Author:** ![UltraVires](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/ecccb3/32.png) [@UltraVires](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UltraVires)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2012, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/judge-orders-partisans-to-stop-asking-voters-for-id-outside-homestead-polls/640105/3 "2012-11-06T17:20:39Z")
These aren’t state actors. Don’t I have the freedom to ask to see your ID, and you likewise have the freedom to tell me to fuck off? What law are these people violating that a judge needs to get involved? ---
**Author:** ![bup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/6bbea6/32.png) [@bup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bup)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2012, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/judge-orders-partisans-to-stop-asking-voters-for-id-outside-homestead-polls/640105/4 "2012-11-06T17:21:43Z")
> [@jtgain](#): > > These aren’t state actors. Don’t I have the freedom to ask to see your ID, and you likewise have the freedom to tell me to fuck off? What law are these people violating that a judge needs to get involved? [Intimidating voters?](http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/18/594) ---
**Author:** ![ladyfoxfyre](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ad7895/32.png) [@ladyfoxfyre](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ladyfoxfyre)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2012, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/judge-orders-partisans-to-stop-asking-voters-for-id-outside-homestead-polls/640105/5 "2012-11-06T17:22:20Z")
If you are doing so in such a way that people might mistake you for government officials, then yes, you are violating the law. ---
**Author:** ![Ravenman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ravenman/32/2929_2.png) [@Ravenman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ravenman)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2012, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/judge-orders-partisans-to-stop-asking-voters-for-id-outside-homestead-polls/640105/6 "2012-11-06T17:23:35Z")
> [@jtgain](#): > > These aren’t state actors. Don’t I have the freedom to ask to see your ID, and you likewise have the freedom to tell me to fuck off? What law are these people violating that a judge needs to get involved? You think I have the right to stop people who are heading into the polls and tell them that they need to give me $20? ---
**Author:** ![Raygun99](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/6f9a4e/32.png) [@Raygun99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Raygun99)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2012, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/judge-orders-partisans-to-stop-asking-voters-for-id-outside-homestead-polls/640105/7 "2012-11-06T17:25:15Z")
> [@jtgain](#): > > These aren’t state actors. Don’t I have the freedom to ask to see your ID, and you likewise have the freedom to tell me to fuck off? What law are these people violating that a judge needs to get involved? So what the hell were Republicans so upset about with the supposed Black Panther intimidation they claimed occurred in 2008? ---
**Author:** ![Jas09](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/d07c76/32.png) [@Jas09](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jas09)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2012, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/judge-orders-partisans-to-stop-asking-voters-for-id-outside-homestead-polls/640105/8 "2012-11-06T17:27:25Z")
> [@Raygun99](#): > > So what the hell were Republicans so upset about with the supposed Black Panther intimidation they claimed occurred in 2008? Do you really need to ask? ---
**Author:** ![Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/8edcca/32.png) [@Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hentor_the_Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2012, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/judge-orders-partisans-to-stop-asking-voters-for-id-outside-homestead-polls/640105/9 "2012-11-06T17:30:18Z")
> [@jtgain](#): > > These aren’t state actors. Don’t I have the freedom to ask to see your ID, and you likewise have the freedom to tell me to fuck off? What law are these people violating that a judge needs to get involved? Seems like the judge was pretty clear. Why would you support the systematic interference in other people’s effort to vote that these people were engaged in? How many people have.you stopped.and demanded of them that they show you ID today? ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2012, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/judge-orders-partisans-to-stop-asking-voters-for-id-outside-homestead-polls/640105/10 "2012-11-06T17:30:45Z")
> [@jtgain](#): > > These aren’t state actors. Don’t I have the freedom to ask to see your ID, and you likewise have the freedom to tell me to fuck off? What law are these people violating that a judge needs to get involved? No, not within “x” feet of a polling stating, whatever that is. If you want to walk up to random people on the street outside that limit, you can ask them whatever you like. These people were, presumably, within the “no electioneering” limit, else the judges order would have no effect. ---
**Author:** ![Lobohan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobohan/32/79_2.png) [@Lobohan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lobohan)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2012, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/judge-orders-partisans-to-stop-asking-voters-for-id-outside-homestead-polls/640105/11 "2012-11-06T17:31:34Z")
> [@jtgain](#): > > These aren’t state actors. Don’t I have the freedom to ask to see your ID, and you likewise have the freedom to tell me to fuck off? What law are these people violating that a judge needs to get involved? This is an outright sickening attitude. We’re adults. This is the future of the country. Playing a game of “I’m not touching you, I’m not touching you.” is pathetic in the extreme. ---
**Author:** ![Love\_Rhombus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/love_rhombus/32/10694_2.png) [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2012, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/judge-orders-partisans-to-stop-asking-voters-for-id-outside-homestead-polls/640105/12 "2012-11-06T17:32:56Z")
This is where one of those “Bikini Inspector” cards would be handy. ---
**Author:** ![Raygun99](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/6f9a4e/32.png) [@Raygun99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Raygun99)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2012, 5:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/judge-orders-partisans-to-stop-asking-voters-for-id-outside-homestead-polls/640105/13 "2012-11-06T17:33:33Z")
> [@Jas09](#): > > Do you really need to ask? No, just curious if I could get a consistent answer. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2012, 5:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/judge-orders-partisans-to-stop-asking-voters-for-id-outside-homestead-polls/640105/14 "2012-11-06T17:35:24Z")
I’m in Western PA. The poll worker (who knows me) that looked up my name, told me that I could show her photo ID if I wished. I showed my driver’s license, she acted embarrassed and looked away, never looking at it. It was weird. ---
**Author:** ![UltraVires](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/ecccb3/32.png) [@UltraVires](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UltraVires)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2012, 5:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/judge-orders-partisans-to-stop-asking-voters-for-id-outside-homestead-polls/640105/15 "2012-11-06T17:35:27Z")
Did these people say that they would deny them entrance to the polls without producing ID? How is this any different from sending out a “Republicans vote Tuesday, Democrats vote Wednesday” and some dumbass believes it. Do we outlaw those emails as voter intimidation? AFAIK, PA doesn’t have electioneering limits. When you walk into the polls there, you are bombarded with campaign brochures when you walk in to vote. ---
**Author:** ![Lobohan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobohan/32/79_2.png) [@Lobohan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lobohan)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2012, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/judge-orders-partisans-to-stop-asking-voters-for-id-outside-homestead-polls/640105/16 "2012-11-06T17:41:02Z")
> [@jtgain](#): > > Did these people say that they would deny them entrance to the polls without producing ID? How is this any different from sending out a “Republicans vote Tuesday, Democrats vote Wednesday” and some dumbass believes it. Do we outlaw those emails as voter intimidation? > > AFAIK, PA doesn’t have electioneering limits. When you walk into the polls there, you are bombarded with campaign brochures when you walk in to vote. So you’re okay with people asking for IDs in front of polling places \*and \*misleading voters with false election information. Classy. ---
**Author:** ![Jas09](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/d07c76/32.png) [@Jas09](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jas09)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2012, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/judge-orders-partisans-to-stop-asking-voters-for-id-outside-homestead-polls/640105/17 "2012-11-06T17:41:40Z")
Just so we’re clear, **jtgain** , you answer **Raygun** ’s question by saying you have no problem with what the NBPP did outside 2008 polling places (and, if FoxNews is to be believed is doing again this year)? ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2012, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/judge-orders-partisans-to-stop-asking-voters-for-id-outside-homestead-polls/640105/18 "2012-11-06T17:42:06Z")
> [@jtgain](#): > > Did these people say that they would deny them entrance to the polls without producing ID? How is this any different from sending out a “Republicans vote Tuesday, Democrats vote Wednesday” and some dumbass believes it. Do we outlaw those emails as voter intimidation? > > AFAIK, PA doesn’t have electioneering limits. When you walk into the polls there, you are bombarded with campaign brochures when you walk in to vote. At what point do you stop asking “What can I get away with legally” and start saying to yourself “This is morally and ethically wrong”? Ever? ---
**Author:** ![Lobohan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobohan/32/79_2.png) [@Lobohan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lobohan)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2012, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/judge-orders-partisans-to-stop-asking-voters-for-id-outside-homestead-polls/640105/19 "2012-11-06T17:44:32Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > At what point do you stop asking “What can I get away with legally” and start saying to yourself “This is morally and ethically wrong”? > Ever? That depends. Is it _his party_ that gets the advantage? ---
**Author:** ![UltraVires](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/ecccb3/32.png) [@UltraVires](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UltraVires)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2012, 5:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/judge-orders-partisans-to-stop-asking-voters-for-id-outside-homestead-polls/640105/20 "2012-11-06T17:45:53Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > At what point do you stop asking “What can I get away with legally” and start saying to yourself “This is morally and ethically wrong”? > Ever? I agree that it is morally and ethically wrong, and a political dirty trick. I’m just wondering why a judge has jurisdiction to tell a private citizen to stop doing something that is perfectly legal, even if dickish. It could legitimately be a survey by a pro-voter ID law group that wants to determine what percentage of voters have valid ID. Without more details, none of us can say for certain how bad this is. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/judge-orders-partisans-to-stop-asking-voters-for-id-outside-homestead-polls/640105.md?page=2)