Posted on 10/20/2006 2:09:23 PM PDT by Babu
24 minutes ago: WASHINGTON - The Supreme Court ruled Friday that Arizona may require voters to provide photo IDs when they cast their ballots next month.
The justices cautioned that they were not issuing a ruling on the constitutionality of Arizona's law. "As we have noted, the facts in these cases are hotly contested," the court said in an unsigned five-page order.
The ruling merely allows the Nov. 7 election to proceed with the photo ID law in place. Federal courts still will have to resolve a lawsuit contending that the law will disenfranchise numerous voters, particularly the elderly and minorities.
Courts in Georgia and Missouri have blocked similar laws.
Justice John Paul Stevens, in a brief concurring opinion, said the high court's action makes it more likely that the constitutional issues "will be resolved correctly on the basis of historical facts rather than speculation."
The law requires voters to prove citizenship when registering to vote and to show photo IDs when they go to the polls. The law was meant to make sure illegal immigrants weren't casting ballots.
Opponents of the law contend it discourages some people from voting, including the elderly, poor and disadvantaged who don't always carry IDs. Arizona residents, Indian tribes and community groups filed suit in May.
A federal judge ruled the state could enforce the law. But the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals later blocked it from taking effect for the Nov. 7 election.
In his bid to allow the state to go forward, Arizona Attorney General Terry Goddard told the justices that "voter registration at the polls is an emerging issue of national importance. States have a compelling interest in curbing fraud and protecting the integrity of elections."
Voters without proper ID may cast provisional ballots and furnish identification within five business days of the election.
Lacking photo identification, voters still can cast ballots during the state's early voting period. State officials said there is ample time to compare signatures on the ballot with those on registration rolls.
Well, if that's the case, NM will add a new RAT Congress woman. The state Republicans are as wimpy as they are on a national level.
Wow, common sense at work. I hope the circuit in Chicago hears this and doesn't strike down an Indiana law requiring photo ids.
Good news (for a change) ping!
Thank you. Hopefully you really become a senator one day.
This is a huge victory for conservatives and honest elections!
Let's really rub it in the faces of the ACLU and liberals by helping Randy Graf defeat super liberal Gabrielle Giffords in the 8th Congressional District of Arizona.
Let's Make Arizona Rock.
Defeat a UN loving, open border, ACLU board member liberal whose largest contributor is the U of A.
www.votegraf.com
Campaign HQ: 520 576-6740
Hopefully this will embolden Georgia and other states to move forward with their plans.
Fine by me, perhaps Americans have regained control from the traitorus Left
Good question, and one I would like to know. This thread is suffering from a lack of curiosity.
I'm in shock!
Bump!
|
I sure hope you're right. I tend to be more cynical. I believe I've read that illegals can pay @$20 for a phoney birthcertificate and social security number, which many get when they arrive just so they can work. As long as they have those, I imagine the next step is a drivers license/photo id.
"Opponents of the law contend it discourages some people from voting, including the elderly, poor and disadvantaged who don't always carry IDs. "
"The very people that tend to vote in much lower numbers anyway."
I have never met a senior citizen who does not have a photo ID. As far as the poor, most states have photo ids available at the motor vehicle, or town halls, for fee or a couple dollars. A lot of states require them for welfare recipients.
Those are just a couple of examples that cover people who do not have drivers licenses.
touche Lucky! exactly right, and the Dems also don't want to eliminate their opportunities to vote early and often, at different polling places. Fraud is a Dems friend! Oh and lets not forget dead voters.
Great news. Now how about Illinois, Michigan, Kalifornia, New Yawk, Ohio and other major fraudulent voter states.
Good news!!
Yeah, but if they need an ID to cash that welfare check you can be sure they'll get one!
Nancy might not be Speaker after all. Just dang.
Yeah, too bad but you can vote out Rendell!!!
My Husband's great, great, great, great grandfather was the first governor of PA.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.