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.
Excellent.
Does this ruling have any effect on MO and GA?
Yea!!!!
I bet Napolitano is not too happy about this. HOw many still think she will win in a few weeks after this ruling?
The very people that tend to vote in much lower numbers anyway.
This will also give a boost to the voter ID law in Missouri which was also struck down by a democrat party filled court.
Let me see your ID brah! Praise Jesus!
Go with Christ.
I don't think directly. Have thosoe two been appealed and stays been requested for the Nov election? This ruling is a stay to put the law back in effect until after the election when the constitutionality of it can be debated further ...
BearMace those with no ID!
More good news for the GOP. This has been one heck of a week for us, if we can top this week the election is in the bag.
You just dealt with the Dog %^*#.
Oh my, this is as unexpected as it is welcome.
It is still pretty easy to vote absentee in AZ.
You don't need any ID really.
The latest polls show her ahead 15-20 points.
The PROBLEM here is that Munsil won the GOP primary vs Goldwater. Munsil is a social conservative (with a capital S) and Goldwater from the "libertarian wing". Voters here G E N E R A L L Y think Munsil talk to much about abortion, school prayer etc. and not enough about taxes, immigration and the bloated state govt. That's not to say Munsil doesn't talk about those things...it's just not how voters percieve him due to history. He's not very exciting either...
The Dems just took a big hit in AZ.
Of course Guv Dyke is not pleased at all with this ruling. Will she still win? My crystal ball is broken, but I will still crawl thru all the broken glass that the Dummiecrats can throw in my path to vote against her. But, ... she is running ahead 2 to 1 in the polls, great economy, commie newspaper to cover her misdeeds, a little known Pubbie candidate since the big names, Hayworth, etc, were afraid to run against her for her second term. so it doesn't look great for us guys in the white hats, but it ain't over until Nov 8, so we will fight, vote, and pray ...
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