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.
You have to show proof of ID to get food stamps, or government assistance.
You have to show ID to get your pay check cashed or to open an account at a bank.
You have to show ID to get a job.
As someone else said, you have to show ID to take a test for a job.
Ummmm....because the elderly and minorities can't get photo ID's??????
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Don't know about minorities but my age doesn't allow pictures that are the least bit flattering. I simply look terrible in photos these days and should be exempted from this ID madness.
Retirees have plenty of time on their hands to make sure their ID is current.
But, But each year the pictures make me look older. I prefer my old ID thank you even if it's out of date.
Don't the elderly vote in large numbers?
I do as many times as possible. I wouldn't necessarily say it's in large numbers though.
Great News. I have voted already by mail and went straight R plus no on million to some lucky voter.
Well Joan....that is quite possibly the most reasonable argument I've heard thus far! LOL
Well said and welcome to FR!
Did you know he saved Clinton's life? Weird world...
What better than a John Wayne quote...
Thanks Defender! In central Texas, we got a booth at a gun show and were handing out flyers for Randy. With Gifford's warchest of $1.7 million to Randy's $500-600,000, he is doing amazingly well and continues to narrow Giffords advantage from 20 points to 6-8 points.
We met a guy from Arizona who just moved to Texas. He was telling us that the City of Tucson was actually using city buses to bus in illegals to the polling places to vote. None spoke a word of English and were laughing!
A victory for Graf is a step toward taking back our country.
For God and Country!
Got it.
"Hubba Hubba! The 9th Circus Court of Schmiels is struck down again!!"
A great day for AZ. I am going to enjoy reading the Phoenix sunday paper in the morning to catch the whinings from the various anti ID groups/people.
I can't buy a battery at COSTCO without my drivers license, but you can vote without one...
Thank you SCOTUS! Next stop: crazy California, please!!
Are you assuming it's legal to vote in a different precinct within the state? Some states are large and even if I'm still in-state, I might not be close to home.
There's no reason the elderly, poor and disadvantaged cannot be responsible citizens and do something as simple as obtain a photo ID at some point before an election. It's not a hardship.
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