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malaise

(269,004 posts)
Fri Sep 14, 2012, 09:54 AM Sep 2012

Pssssssssssst-Penn Supreme court scrutinizes voter ID, justice labels it 'unconstitutional'

http://www.phillyburbs.com/news/local/the_intelligencer_news/supreme-court-scrutinizes-voter-id-justice-labels-it-unconstitutional/article_205a817f-5344-583e-b0e6-3f336d2e64a3.html
<snip>
Pennsylvania Supreme Court Judge Seamus P. McCaffery has an official photo ID signed by the state’s chief justice.

That card unlocks doors to secure buildings throughout the state. Yet it’s not good enough to prove his eligibility as a voter in the upcoming presidential election.

The legality and, to a somewhat greater extent, the mechanics of Pennsylvania’s voter ID law came under the scrutiny of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court on Thursday.

“It seems that it just creates an additional qualification to vote and, if that’s the case, then it’s unconstitutional,” said McCaffery.

Supreme Court Justice Debra McCloskey Todd said the law could block longtime voters from participation in elections.

“It does appear to impact voters who have already been registered and demonstrated voters,” said Todd. “And, so it does appear to be in conflict with the language of our constitution.”


A panel of six justices listened to oral arguments in the lawsuit filed on behalf of 10 Pennsylvania voters, among them 89-year-old Joyce Block of Doylestown.

Block said she ran into trouble getting a photo ID from PennDOT because of discrepancies between her birth and marriage certificates.
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How's that voter supression going ReTHUGs
14 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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Pssssssssssst-Penn Supreme court scrutinizes voter ID, justice labels it 'unconstitutional' (Original Post) malaise Sep 2012 OP
K&r... spanone Sep 2012 #1
I hope they rule soon. n/t porphyrian Sep 2012 #2
Me too malaise Sep 2012 #3
If they don't then it will be after the elections, and it it means we are screwed /nt still_one Sep 2012 #4
Nah, not screwed, just working harder. n/t porphyrian Sep 2012 #5
McCaffery's a pistol: PCIntern Sep 2012 #6
And so the REAL path to victory for Obama is paved. Zalatix Sep 2012 #7
Are McCaffery & Todd Dem or Repub? garthranzz Sep 2012 #8
They are both Ds Cosmocat Sep 2012 #9
The chief justice is a Repub. MadrasT Sep 2012 #10
Ron Castille is a Repub, but he has sided against the GOP in the past MgtPA Sep 2012 #11
K&R nt avebury Sep 2012 #12
The seventh judge was a repub but is being sent to prison, yortsed snacilbuper Sep 2012 #13
Well, she's suspended from duty while awaiting trial after indictment. MadrasT Sep 2012 #14

PCIntern

(25,550 posts)
6. McCaffery's a pistol:
Fri Sep 14, 2012, 10:08 AM
Sep 2012

He used to hold court at the stadium during Eagles games to nail miscreants, or people who were termed miscreants by our "infalible" police and security guards. Talk about weird...he convened court and set bail and whatever...but he's right on the money on this one.

garthranzz

(1,330 posts)
8. Are McCaffery & Todd Dem or Repub?
Fri Sep 14, 2012, 10:17 AM
Sep 2012

And any wordy from the others?

Judges sometimes do the right thing, because they feel they're not beyond party - and power.

Cosmocat

(14,564 posts)
9. They are both Ds
Fri Sep 14, 2012, 12:06 PM
Sep 2012

Just a hair more hope that one of three Rs will have a conscience vs the mindless twit R who ruled on it the first go around.

MadrasT

(7,237 posts)
10. The chief justice is a Repub.
Fri Sep 14, 2012, 12:11 PM
Sep 2012

But may be the swing vote in this case:

The even split doesn’t bother Nicole Heckel of West Philadelphia who traveled to City Hall to witness the hearing. Heckel said she suspects Chief Justice Ronald Castille will join with the Democratic judges, in favor of the protesters.

“Castille is a Republican but he’s from Philadelphia and he’s a very thoughtful person and you can see that,” said Heckel, as she watched the hearing.


I am on pins & needles waiting for the decision.

MgtPA

(1,022 posts)
11. Ron Castille is a Repub, but he has sided against the GOP in the past
Fri Sep 14, 2012, 12:39 PM
Sep 2012

"As chief, he works hardest at ensuring people view the court with respect. “He’s well aware of the legacy that he wants to leave and is taking great steps to make this not a partisan court,” said West Chester lawyer Sam Stretton, who has argued cases before the high court.

The most obvious example: his recent vote to side with the three Democratic justices in overturning a plan to revamp the districts of state lawmakers. GOP lawmakers wrote that plan.

Generally, people say he tends to be pro-government in criminal justice matters that come before the court, and pro-individual rights in civil matters. Some commend him for writing searching opinions, and he is thought to be a judge who works through issues carefully."

http://www.pennlive.com/specialprojects/index.ssf/2012/08/profile_pennsylvania_supreme_c.html

Here's hoping...

yortsed snacilbuper

(7,939 posts)
13. The seventh judge was a repub but is being sent to prison,
Fri Sep 14, 2012, 12:56 PM
Sep 2012

so, the court has three Democrats and three repubs, so if the vote is three for and three against it will stand, so lets hope one of the repubs do the right thing!

MadrasT

(7,237 posts)
14. Well, she's suspended from duty while awaiting trial after indictment.
Fri Sep 14, 2012, 01:01 PM
Sep 2012

We can *hope* she gets sent to prison though.

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