Judge spikes photo ID requirement for Pa. voters

Judge spikes photo ID requirement for Pa. voters

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — A state judge has struck down the law requiring Pennsylvania’s voters to show photo identification at the polls.

Commonwealth Court Judge Bernard McGinley said the requirement that was the centerpiece of Pennsylvania’s embattled 2012 voter identification law places an unreasonable burden on the fundamental right to vote.

Republicans approved the law over the protests of Democrats.

During a 12-day trial, plaintiffs said hundreds of thousands of voters lacked acceptable IDs and the inconvenience of getting one might discourage some from voting. State officials insisted there were ample opportunities for voters to get a valid ID.

The court has barred enforcement of the law since 2012. Corbett lawyer James Schultz says he hasn’t decided yet whether to seek a full Commonwealth Court hearing or an appeal to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court.