No matter what the ruling in voter ID case, it’s expected to go to Pa. Supreme Court

The future of Pennsylvania’s voter ID law is now in the hands of a Commonwealth Court judge.

Closing arguments Thursday concluded the seven-day hearing over a challenge to the controversial measure.

Attorneys challenging the photo identification requirement say the law they call politically motivated should be halted immediately.

Representatives of both sides have said, if they lose, they’ll appeal to the state Supreme Court.

Patrick Cawley is with the state attorney general’s office, arguing for the commonwealth.

He says if the law is halted, voters will have to wait for the Supreme Court to weigh in before knowing what to do before the election.

“It’s just a giant step backward if an injunction is issued, so that people don’t know going toward November what is required of them,” Cawley said.

Opponents say many people still don’t know what’s required of them at the polls.

They point to changes they say have already caused confusion, such as the recent announcement that the state will issue a special voting ID in about a month for people who can’t get a PennDOT license.

The judge expects to rule the week of Aug. 13.