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Commonwealth Court won't stop state ads on voter ID
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Commonwealth Court Judge Robert Simpson today denied an attempt by voter ID opponents to stop the Corbett administration's advertising and promotion of the suspended law before Election Day.
In an Oct. 2 decision Judge Simpson suspended requirements that all Pennsylvania voters show photo ID on Nov. 6 but kept them in place for future balloting. The Department of State has kept advertising in place saying voters will be asked, but not forced, to show ID next week and opponents sought a new order from Judge Simpson to block the promotional campaign.
As a result, voter ID opponents said the advertising is confusing and could result in voters not going to the polls because they think they need ID that they don't have.
The judge denied it today. His opinion said the opponents did not prove the advertisements would disenfranchise voters. Beyond that, the judge said the court could do little to enforce such an order.
"Petitioners' invitation to manage the conspicuity and comparability of disclaimers in all Commonwealth broadcast, print, electronic, Internet or other advertisements, displays and robocalls leading up to Election Day contemplates an endeavor for which courts are ill-suited," he wrote.
First Published November 1, 2012 2:24 pm
