Pennsylvania Voter ID Law Upheld—For Now

On Tuesday, Pennsylvania’s Supreme Court ordered the Commonwealth Court to review how identification has been made available to all eligible voters.  In theory, the law, which requires all voters to present identification when they cast their votes, should allow all voters to obtain free ID.  However, the Supreme Court expressed concerns over whether or not state officials have adequately educated the public and removed obstacles involved with acquiring identification.  If, following review, the court finds that not all legitimate votes would be counted, the commonwealth’s voter ID law must be terminated.

While the court did not officially rule on the constitutionality of the ID law, two of the six justices voted in dissent, writing that the law should not remain in effect.  The order also asserted that there is “little disagreement” that the law would most adversely affect voters who are part of the “most vulnerable segment of our society,” such as the elderly and disabled.

The order handed down to the Commonwealth Court presented a deadline of October 2.  By then, the court must be able to prove that all eligible Pennsylvania voters have easy access to identification for the law to stand.