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.
I think I'll send Randy Graf another contribution to celebrate.
Wish our state was as vigilant.
Excellent, truthful, and well timed analogy.
Thanks for the ping. Hooray SCOTUS!
A rare moment when his meds were in balance.
Renzi
It has no effect in GA for the Nov. elections, unfortunately. The dems want all the felons, illegals and dead voting here.
tftp!
wonder if we can next ask for security cameras to be set up inside... (/s)
Opponents of the law contend it discourages some people from voting, including the elderly, poor and disadvantaged who don't always carry IDs
These are the same people who have no problem producing ID when they go to the corner for a "32" and a lottery ticket..
Exactly- you need an id to go to movies, to buy on the internet, to buy beer etc & here we're talking about somethign as important as voting & the democratic dopes who don't support id's are protesting this law? It should be a mandatory law in all states- Illegals sent 45.3 billion dollars to their relatives last year- that's 45.3 billion dollars going to Mexico and other countries from this country by illegals bilking this country. No way should they be allowed to vote (or drive for that matter) without proper U.S identification. The courts should be prosecuting any company that hires illegals as well. We 'need cheap labor'? Bull- we need laws that keep illegals from bilking this country out of billions. Illegals are the highest in illegal abortions, in getting welfare, in prison costs etc.
Smiling Janet Nappy have been virtually quiet about this decision. I suspect she has polling that shows that AZ voters are fed up with fraudulent voting. Either that, or she has a plan brewing to block this decision in the next two weeks.
After this ruling, Graf has a real chance to win this election. I may donate a few bucks to his campaign today.
I'd like to see a class action brought on behalf of Stupid People, using democrats as examples, alleging stupidity in countless ways disenfranchised them. Good thing it does, of course.
You are right, and I stand corrected, however, please see posts 88 and 134 - their points echo what mine would be were I as eloquent. :)
You are right, and I stand corrected, however, please see posts 88 and 134 - their points echo what mine would be were I as eloquent. :)
I'm with you. Have already convinced six people to vote for Graf and counting.
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