Commonwealth Court Hears Closing Arguments In Voter ID Case
By Cherri Gregg
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - The parties in the voter ID case presented closing arguments yesterday, closing two full days of testimony before the Commonwealth Court on the accessibility of voter IDs, after the state Supreme Court asked the judge to reconsider his decision not to block the law. And it is likely that the judge will issue an order limiting the voter ID law, at least in part.
During closing arguments, Judge Robert Simpson asked attorneys for both sides to present details of how he could potentially block illegal portions of the voter ID law, while leaving the legislature's intent intact.
Plaintiff Attorney Vic Walczak says the only remedy is a full out injunction. "We've talked about how you can do something other than block enforcement of this law for November and could not come up with any alternative."
Lawyers for the Commonwealth say the state has worked hard to ensure that all voters have ID, announcing on Tuesday relaxed ID procedures to make the department of state IDs more accessible. State's attorneys argue these changes to along with a limited court order, should save the law for November.
