Pa. voter ID law goes before Commonwealth Court

Pennsylvania’s Commonwealth Court is set to hear a challenge Monday to Pennsylvania’s voter identification law.

“The law is that on Nov. 5 of this year people will need photo ID to vote in Pennsylvania,” says Philadelphia City Commissioner Stephanie Singer, who oversees the election process in the city.

Even though a stay sidelined it for the last election, the law remains in place, she said.

Singer says she will be required to enforce the regulation unless Commonwealth Court strikes down the law.

“As an elected official in charge of elections I will uphold the law,” she said, adding, “I do not like this law.”

Joe Certaine of the Pennsylvania Voting Rights Coalition says if the court does not overturn the ID requirement, people who should be able to vote will be denied.

“Even one citizen deprived of the right to vote is one too many,” he said.

Certaine says the coalition is working to help voters obtain photo identification in case the legal challenge falls short.

Supporters say the measure combats voter fraud, but opponents say it will disenfranchise those voters who have difficulty getting the required ID.

Past court rulings were temporary — blocking the law’s enforcement in the 2012 general election and this year’s primary.

The ruling is expected to be appealed to the state Supreme Court.