Groups who say Pennsylvania's tough new voter identification law may prevent them from voting are suing to get it thrown out.
A suit filed Tuesday by the ACLU representing the interests of ten people said the law violates the state constitution's ”free and equal” elections clause and another clause that establishes qualifications to vote in Pennsylvania. It also seeks an injunction from State Commonwealth Court that halts the enforcement of the law.
The lawsuit documents examples of people having a hard time getting the free photo ID that the state promises under the law. Opponents also argue that obtaining necessary documents, including missing birth certificates will cost money.
Gov. Tom Corbett signed the law March 14. He and fellow Republicans call it an effort to combat voter fraud, but the suit says there's no evidence of any meaningful in-person voter fraud that the law would prevent.
The law is set to be implemented for the Nov. general election, but election judges gave it a trial run during the April 24 primary elections. Voters were asked for photo identification, but weren’t required to present it to vote, unless it was their first time at the polling place.
A bill introduced in the State House to repeal the photo ID requirement has the backing of more than 70 state legislators.
