Ruling does away with free voter ID's

[AllegroRondo]

http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/news/stories.nsf/stlou...

Missourians hoping to get a free state ID card that could be needed to vote were out of luck starting Monday.

A judge ruled last week that the new state law requiring voters to show a government-issued photo identification card was an unconstitutional infringement on the fundamental right to vote. But the ruling is expected to be appealed, and if a higher court overturns the decision, IDs could again be required to cast a regular ballot as soon as the Nov. 7 general election.

Also, the department said it is halting more than 60 visits scheduled to nursing homes and other centers for the elderly and disabled to help provide ID cards to those who can't get out to obtain one.

[alarimer]

1. More Republican suppression of voting

Poll tax anyone? We can't have those nursing home residents voting now- they're probably Democrats!!

[Demeter]

2. And Ticked Off About the Doughnut Hole in Plan D

[rodeodance]

4. which is really hitting lots of people this fall.

[AllegroRondo]

6. Its more confusing than just that

The law requiring voter IDs to vote was struck down (hooray!), but the state will appeal. Until the state supreme court rules on it, no more free IDs. So potentially, they could rule to let the law stand, and thousands of people will be out of luck on election day.

[warrens]

8. If they overturn

I would imagine they would stay it until after the election. This is clearly unconstitutional on the federal level, and since there are federal seats involved, this may eventually end up at the Supreme Court.

[Gman]

10. Here goes:

"Well, you know, it costs money to run an election. I know that Americans are always proud to step forward when there is a need and a small $50 a year as a voter assistance fee is not too much to ask for the treasured right to vote. After all, if people were productive members of society there's no reason in this booming economy that anyone couldn't come up with the $50 if they really wanted to vote. You either want to vote or you don't. Besides, this would be a good way to assure that only the best people get to vote." Then quote some obscure out-of-context partial phrase from the Bible to justify a voter assistance fee.

[DemInDistress]

13. you mean it will cost 50 bucks a yr. to vote...rotf sad if that's

truly the case. wow. this court decision needs to be fast tracked. wow. shocking.


how desperate are these GOPIGS?


thanks

[Gman]

14. I made that up!

[rodeodance]

3. what a horrible mess for many people. Confusion is the agenda!

[bluestateguy]

5. "votin's for the white folks"

Actual quote told to me by someone in 1994.

[saigon68]

9. Its those "uppity" blacks again

[lonestarnot]

7. Mississippi Burning.

[AllegroRondo]

11. Another flaw with the ID law

was that the ID requirement could be waived if the voter is personally recognized by two polling place judges. No problem in rural districts and small towns where everyone knows everyone (and lean heavily Republican), but near impossible in urban districts.

[jody]

12. Congress has authority to make or alter times, places, and manner of

holding Elections for Senators and Representatives.

The issue will eventually be resolved in favor of requiring some type of photo ID for those who want to vote for senators and representatives.

What each state does for intra state elections is a state problem but it's probably inefficient to have separate voter ID requirements for federal and intra state elections.