(WASHINGTON)—Today, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, in a 4-2 decision, instructed a judge on the lower Commonwealth Court to cease implementation of the state’s Voter ID law and for the lower court to further review the case. Specifically, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court instructed the Commonwealth Court to determine whether or not the law disenfranchises voters, and to assess the ease of access to ID cards. Ranking Member John Conyers, Jr. (D-Mich.) released this statement following the decision:
“I commend the Pennsylvania Supreme Court for calling into question the lower court’s findings on Voter ID laws, and for directing the lower court to re-examine the effect these laws have on the right to vote,” said Conyers.
“The law as it stands places significant restrictions on the right to vote by imposing photo ID requirements. More troubling, the exceptions to photo ID favors gun owners and the employed, and excludes poor voters, unemployed voters, and even veterans who do not have the stricter forms of ID. Simply put, upholding this law would amount to voter suppression and a restriction of the franchise.
“Fair and free elections, accessible to all, is a core principle for democracy in America. There is no more fundamental right than the right to vote, the bedrock of all of our rights under the Constitution. We are now at a crossroads; we can continue to expand the right to vote, as we have done since the historic passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, or we can retreat to a modern day version of poll taxes.”
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