Our Readers Respond to the Latest Voter ID Ruling

This morning, Commonwealth Court Judge Robert Simpson ruled that Pennsylvania's Voter ID law, a law that has been the subject of endless debate for months, be put on hold until after the Nov. 6 general election.

The debate isn't over, however. The ruling can still be appealed to the state Supreme Court, which said it would expedite any further action in the case since Election Day is just five weeks away.

While politicians and pundits continue to fill the airwaves and news pages with opinions and legal arguments, we thought it would worthwhile to hear from average citizens on this latest move. We asked Patch readers on Facebook what it means to them and where they think we should go from here.

"It's the right move," wrote Alfonso Giddens. "Why should this be a rush move? By holding off it allows any arguments to be heard and hopefully a fair and respectable judgment to be given, that benefits all citizens."

"No I don't [think it's the right move]," wrote Teresa Medvetz "... Everyone had plenty of time to get the necessary paper work in order [and] enough time to get an ID. If they would spend less time complaining and more time working on getting it then they be OK..."

"As a woman, I was frustrated to see how difficult it was for older women to get ID because their married last name didn't match their birth certificate," noted Mary Kraus. "Fix those problems with getting ID, then put it in place. It wasn't a real problem in the last election and won't be in this one. Sort it out for 2016 if it's a genuine non-partisan issue."

"It [doesn't] bother me any as I made sure I had the proper IDs so I could vote," wrote Lynn Boyle Auriemma.

While many expressed a similar sentiment that the law was not nearly as relevant to their lives as the media coverage might have us believe, East Norriton resident Don Benn pointed out the importance of protecting every citizen's rights. 

"Laws that don't affect us (as individuals) still impact upon us as a society" wrote Benn. "No honest citizen should lose their right to vote based on the fact that he or she left their ID at home."

Collegeville resident Chris Costanzo noted a popular point that proponents of the law say make it relevant and needed.

"This law won't affect "honest citizens," said Costanzo. "Illegals and criminals on the other hand... I can't even fathom how anyone who is a legal citizen in this country doesn't have a state ID. You can't even get a bank account without one."

You can read more comments and opinions on the decision on Norristown Patch's Facebook page or in the comment streams of several of our Voter ID stories. 

Tuesday, Oct. 9, is the last day for Pennsylvanians to register to vote in the general election. Make sure you're registered if you intend to vote in the Nov. 6 general election.

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