# Pennsylvania Upholds Voter ID Law **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [August 15, 2012, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pennsylvania-upholds-voter-id-law/631582 "2012-08-15T17:21:18Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 24
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2012, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pennsylvania-upholds-voter-id-law/631582/461 "2012-09-01T20:33:08Z")
> [@elucidator](#): > > Full of illegal aliens, driven by a CASA volunteer, with state of the art forgery equipment? Works for me. Of course it does. ---
**Author:** ![Richard\_Parker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/35a633/32.png) [@Richard\_Parker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Richard_Parker)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2012, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pennsylvania-upholds-voter-id-law/631582/462 "2012-09-18T18:03:13Z")
And the PA Supreme Court decides to duck for now. Remanded back to Commonwealth Court for further factual determination. ---
**Author:** ![davidm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidm/32/225_2.png) [@davidm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidm)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2012, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pennsylvania-upholds-voter-id-law/631582/463 "2012-09-18T18:44:20Z")
Here’s the ruling. [http://www.pacourts.us/OpPosting/Supreme/out/J-114-2012pco.pdf](http://www.pacourts.us/OpPosting/Supreme/out/J-114-2012pco.pdf) I haven’t read it, and don’t have time at the moment but what I’m hearing secondhand is that Simpson has been admonished and will have to use the standard that NO ONE will be denied suffrage by a quick implementation of the law, and Philadelphia has been very clear that they can’t get it done. If that’s true then it may indicate that things will be put on hold until after the upcoming election; or it may not, I’m no lawyer. ---
**Author:** ![Steve\_MB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steve_mb/32/5339_2.png) [@Steve\_MB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steve_MB)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2012, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pennsylvania-upholds-voter-id-law/631582/464 "2012-09-18T19:47:56Z")
> [@davidm](#): > > Here’s the ruling. > > [http://www.pacourts.us/OpPosting/Supreme/out/J-114-2012pco.pdf](http://www.pacourts.us/OpPosting/Supreme/out/J-114-2012pco.pdf) > > I haven’t read it, and don’t have time at the moment but what I’m hearing secondhand is that Simpson has been admonished and will have to use the standard that NO ONE will be denied suffrage by a quick implementation of the law, and Philadelphia has been very clear that they can’t get it done. If that’s true then it may indicate that things will be put on hold until after the upcoming election; or it may not, I’m no lawyer. That’s pretty much it – the lower court is directed to reverse unless it finds that a standard of ID access can be met which PA-DOT has already indicated to be impossible. ---
**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:** [September 18, 2012, 9:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pennsylvania-upholds-voter-id-law/631582/465 "2012-09-18T21:01:00Z")
> [@Steve\_MB](#): > > That’s pretty much it – the lower court is directed to reverse unless it finds that a standard of ID access can be met which PA-DOT has already indicated to be impossible. Good. At least somebody has a fucking brain in that region. ---
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2012, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pennsylvania-upholds-voter-id-law/631582/466 "2012-09-18T21:21:42Z")
> [@Steve\_MB](#): > > That’s pretty much it – the lower court is directed to reverse unless it finds that a standard of ID access can be met which PA-DOT has already indicated to be impossible. No. I’m tired of explaining, though. Wanna bet? ---
**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:** [September 18, 2012, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pennsylvania-upholds-voter-id-law/631582/467 "2012-09-18T21:29:47Z")
> [@Bricker](#): > > No. > > I’m tired of explaining, though. > > Wanna bet? Why are you tired of explaining a ruling that just happened and you haven’t addressed (in this thread at least). Care to link to your explanation of today’s ruling? ---
**Author:** ![Oldeb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/ea666f/32.png) [@Oldeb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oldeb)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2012, 9:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pennsylvania-upholds-voter-id-law/631582/468 "2012-09-18T21:36:12Z")
> [@Bricker](#): > > No. > > I’m tired of explaining, though. > > Wanna bet? Well, it’s suspend not reverse, but there’s nothing wrong with what **Steve MB** said otherwise. > [@Pennsylvania Supreme Court](#): > > As such, the Law establishes a policy of liberal access to Section 1510(b) identification cards. > However, as implementation of the Law has proceeded, PennDOT – apparently for good reason – has refused to allow such liberal access. > … > Given this state of affairs, we are not satisfied with a mere predictive judgment based primarily on the assurances of government officials, even though we have no doubt they are proceeding in good faith. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2012, 10:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pennsylvania-upholds-voter-id-law/631582/469 "2012-09-18T22:15:10Z")
Seems odd to me that they felt the need to add their confidence in the “good faith” of the PA gov. Seems to me, the demand for urgent and immediate enforcement of the law tips the Pubbie hand more than anything else. The emergency situation demands immediate action, lest dire consequences arise on election day! Some of them actually believe this shit, that the Dems have cooked up an intricate conspiracy in absolute secrecy to bring metric buttloads of illegal alien voters to the polls, that’s the only way they can win! So, from their point of view, this is nothing more than righting a dreadful wrong. And sure, it will mean their guy wins, because the Dems have been cheating! Yeah, sure, Hugh Bethca. Democrats, dark and sinister conspirators, operating in stealth and complete secrecy. Twisting the malign skeins of their malicious macramé. Probably cooked up by minds vast, cool, and unsympathetic, led by Ernst Stavro Biden. Sure, Biden has a cat. Not a white Persian cat. Just a cat. ---
**Author:** ![Fuzzy\_Dunlop](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/848f3c/32.png) [@Fuzzy\_Dunlop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fuzzy_Dunlop)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2012, 11:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pennsylvania-upholds-voter-id-law/631582/470 "2012-09-18T23:23:01Z")
> [@Chefguy](#): > > Good. At least somebody has a fucking brain in that region. What’s nice is it was a 4-2 decision with both dissenters being Democrats who felt they should have acted directly rather than remanding it. So basically unanimous opposition, including from the Republican justices. > [@elucidator](#): > > Seems odd to me that they felt the need to add their confidence in the “good faith” of the PA gov. > > Seems to me, the demand for urgent and immediate enforcement of the law tips the Pubbie hand more than anything else. The emergency situation demands immediate action, lest dire consequences arise on election day! > > Some of them actually believe this shit, that the Dems have cooked up an intricate conspiracy in absolute secrecy to bring metric buttloads of illegal alien voters to the polls, that’s the only way they can win! So, from their point of view, this is nothing more than righting a dreadful wrong. And sure, it will mean their guy wins, because the Dems have been cheating! > > Yeah, sure, Hugh Bethca. Democrats, dark and sinister conspirators, operating in stealth and complete secrecy. Twisting the malign skeins of their malicious macramé. Probably cooked up by minds vast, cool, and unsympathetic, led by Ernst Stavro Biden. > > Sure, Biden has a cat. Not a white Persian cat. Just a cat. That’s just the lie they tell in public to scare people though. The PA attorney general admitted in court that there was no evidence there had been any voter fraud and absolutely no reason to suspect there would be any fraud if the law wasn’t in place. So it’s not like the judge is giving weight to the lies they tell to the public, just the legality of the republican’s right to pass the law. ---
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2012, 11:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pennsylvania-upholds-voter-id-law/631582/471 "2012-09-18T23:38:12Z")
> [@Oldeb](#): > > Well, it’s suspend not reverse, but there’s nothing wrong with what **Steve MB** said otherwise. Yes, there is. It’s a ten-letter word that starts with ‘I.’ ---
**Author:** ![Euphonious\_Polemic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/euphonious_polemic/32/3002_2.png) [@Euphonious\_Polemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euphonious_Polemic)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2012, 11:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pennsylvania-upholds-voter-id-law/631582/472 "2012-09-18T23:43:12Z")
> [@Bricker](#): > > Yes, there is. It’s a ten-letter word that starts with ‘I.’ laboratory? labyrinths? laceration? lamebrains? It’s lamebrains, isn’t it? ---
**Author:** ![Oldeb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/ea666f/32.png) [@Oldeb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oldeb)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2012, 12:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pennsylvania-upholds-voter-id-law/631582/473 "2012-09-19T00:32:32Z")
A leprechaun did it? The judges were bribed with liverwurst? You have a liturgical need for voter ID laws? ---
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2012, 12:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pennsylvania-upholds-voter-id-law/631582/474 "2012-09-19T00:44:07Z")
Not L. I. ---
**Author:** ![Oldeb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/ea666f/32.png) [@Oldeb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oldeb)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2012, 12:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pennsylvania-upholds-voter-id-law/631582/475 "2012-09-19T00:55:30Z")
Hey, here’s an idea! Instead of playing hangman while you try to come up with an answer, why don’t you just go ahead and explain why you feel [everyone](http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics/2012/09/pennsylvania-voter-id-law-still-in-court-less-than-2-months-before-election/) [else is](http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/decision2012/pennsylvania-voter-id-law-sent-back-to-lower-court/2012/09/18/ded55652-01b8-11e2-b257-e1c2b3548a4a_story.html) [wrong](http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-250_162-57515218/pa-voter-id-law-returns-to-lower-court-for-review/) about what the court said? ---
**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:** [September 19, 2012, 12:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pennsylvania-upholds-voter-id-law/631582/476 "2012-09-19T00:58:43Z")
> [@Bricker](#): > > I. You what? ---
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2012, 12:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pennsylvania-upholds-voter-id-law/631582/477 "2012-09-19T00:59:05Z")
> [@Oldeb](#): > > Hey, here’s an idea! Instead of playing hangman while you try to come up with an answer, why don’t you just go ahead and explain why you feel [everyone](http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics/2012/09/pennsylvania-voter-id-law-still-in-court-less-than-2-months-before-election/) [else is](http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/decision2012/pennsylvania-voter-id-law-sent-back-to-lower-court/2012/09/18/ded55652-01b8-11e2-b257-e1c2b3548a4a_story.html) [wrong](http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-250_162-57515218/pa-voter-id-law-returns-to-lower-court-for-review/) about what the court said? Hey, here’s an idea. Find me where I said anyone in those links is wrong. I am sick of explaining things to an audience who wants to understand only those things that they agree with. Steve MB claimed that compliance was impossible, and that the DOT had conceded it was impossible. Any of your links make that claim? ---
**Author:** ![not\_what\_you\_d\_expect](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/not_what_you_d_expect/32/3246_2.png) [@not\_what\_you\_d\_expect](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/not_what_you_d_expect)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2012, 1:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pennsylvania-upholds-voter-id-law/631582/478 "2012-09-19T01:03:52Z")
Seriously Bricker? ---
**Author:** ![davidm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidm/32/225_2.png) [@davidm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidm)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2012, 1:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pennsylvania-upholds-voter-id-law/631582/479 "2012-09-19T01:13:13Z")
> [@Bricker](#): > > Not L. > > I. That’s looks like a lowercase L in my browser. Uppercase el: L Lowercase el: l Uppercase eye: I Lowercase eye: i After previewing: Well that’s strange. The characters look different in the edit field than in the preview field. Must be different fonts. In the edit field the uppercase i has horizontal bars at the top and bottom and the lowercase L is just a vertical line without the little foot. Everyone, including me, thought that your uppercase i was a lowercase L. ---
**Author:** ![squeegee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/squeegee/32/14537_2.png) [@squeegee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/squeegee)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2012, 1:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pennsylvania-upholds-voter-id-law/631582/480 "2012-09-19T01:14:38Z")
he’s looking for “impossible”, I’m not sure why. 10 letters. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pennsylvania-upholds-voter-id-law/631582.md?page=23) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pennsylvania-upholds-voter-id-law/631582.md?page=25)