Dems charge GOP leader’s remark shows political intent of Pa. voter ID law

Pennsylvania Democrats say a top state Republican’s recent remark on voter ID will bolster their legal argument that the law was politically motivated.

They’re criticizing House Majority Leader Mike Turzai, R-Allegheny. for telling a Republican audience last weekend that the new voter ID measure “is going to allow Gov. Romney to win the state.”

Sen. Daylin Leach, D-Montgomery County, says Turzai’s comment reveals the true intent of the voter ID law was to keep traditionally Democratic-leaning voters from going to the polls.

“If you have to stop people from voting to win elections, your ideas suck,” Leach said Tuesday.

Turzai’s spokesman calls such claims ludicrous, and maintains voter ID is about preventing fraud.

Turzai was talking about voter ID as something that would create a level playing field, by preventing voter fraud, and therefore helping out whatever candidate has popular support, said spokesman Steve Miskin.

Democrats say that’s just not credible, because the voter impersonation fraud addressed with the voter ID law is so rare.

As they prepare a lawsuit to repeal the law, they say the House Majority Leader’s own words will help them build their case. The bulk of their argument will be based on data from elections beginning with the primary in April to show how voter ID is making it more difficult for some to cast their ballots.

They say they’ll file the lawsuit after the August special elections.