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.
ROCK and f'n ROLL!
Best news of the day.
Ummmm....because the elderly and minorities can't get photo ID's??????
How can the requirement for voter ID be controversial! I am astounded that it is an issue. If a person is too stupid to get a free photo ID, then perhaps he or she is too stupid to vote! The benefits of voter ID are enormous! The negatives are nonexistent.
LOL!! Better not tell my "elderly" (in number, not in attitude) Mom who's working the polling place that!
Lovin it and I am sure the Dems are deeply saddened.
I think the elderly have pretty high participation in elections. So, as a demographic, they have a disproportionate influence on elections.
But the argument that they will be discouraged by an ID requirement is bunk. Who has more time on their hands than a retiree ? Retirees have plenty of time on their hands to make sure their ID is current.
That was a great episode....
Do we know the split, if there was one?
Retirees are the ones who usually man the polls.
This sooooooooooooooooooooooo sweet!!!! I just love it!!!!!!
It's not the fault of the state GOP party. Blame the big name candidates in AZ, who want to be Guv, but didn't have the kahonies to run against Big Bad Guv Dyke. I'll name names: J.D. Hayworth, Rick Romley, Grant Woods (but we don't want him--he's a RINO), ...
Anyone else care to throw out a few other names of possible timid AZ Pubbie wannabie Guv's who would have been serious contenders?
That is, a government issued photo identification card...the same thing you would use to get on an airplane or buy a drink at the local tavern.
Excellent BTTT
I'm actually surprised Terry Goddard pushed this through.
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Yes, it has been a long time since I lived in Tucson but I was sure he was a defeatocrat when I lived there. On the city council if I remember right.
http://straylight.law.cornell.edu/supct/html/06-375.ZPC.html
Thanks. My neighbor was just trying to tell me we needed 3 forms of I.D. to vote now here in AZ!!
How dare the scotus protect democracy at the expense of illegal migrants rights! /s
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