Author Archives: ELECTIONLAWCENTER.COM

Photo ID law in Pennsylvania by the end of the year?

…there is talk about trying to get so-called voter-ID legislation to the governor. The House in June approved a bill that would require residents to present identification before voting. The Senate is expected to take up the bill this week – although there is talk of making changes to it. Corbett on Saturday said he believed the measure would reach his desk before the end of the year.

rest of story at the link

Civil rights groups, Democrats fight early-voting limits

@ USA Today.  More than half a dozen states have passed new laws to reduce early voting, setting up a clash with civil rights groups and Democrats who claim the rules could disenfranchise minority voters in the 2012 election for the White House and Congress.

Once again, Democrats seek to conflate the protections of civil rights laws with their own partisan gamesmanship and potential gain.  Apparently, they believe there are now civil rights protections to have the opportunity to vote early and often.  Yes, a right to vote early 21 days as opposed to 14 days prior to Election Day or perhaps to vote 8 days prior instead of on Election Day. 

How about a voting right for absentee voting?  In fact, any voting process that may help Democrats on turnout is apparently constitutionally protected.  And how about a process that might help Republicans?  Nope, not protected.  Sorry, Republicans are out of luck.

The EAC has become a “Zombie Agency”


The commission established to address problems after the 2000 presidential contest is a “zombie agency” that should be dismantled, a GOP lawmaker said Friday. Rep. Gregg Harper (R-Miss.), chairman of a House subcommittee on elections, said the resignation of the last two members of the Election Assistance Commission had underlined his point that it is an obsolete agency and a waste of taxpayer money. “It is a zombie agency, lumbering forward lifelessly devouring taxpayer dollars,” said Harper, who has long called for the elimination of an agency created after the disputed election in which Republican George Bush defeated Vice President Al Gore.  Read the whole story at the Hill.

“The EAC, an obsolete agency that has long outlived its purpose, now has no commissioners, no executive director and no general counsel,” Harper added


Union elections require a photo ID to vote

HT to John Romano at “Yes, But, However!” at the link.   He asks the perplexing question of why do Democrats so fear voter ID? Apparently even unions don’t see the requirement of a photo ID as too burdensome.

A picture is worth a thousand words. According to OpenSecrets.org unions belonging to the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) have donated over $26 million to Democratic candidates and causes since 1990. During that same period, the union gave a paltry $272,311 to the Republican Party.

As you’ll note in the photo below the union requires its own members to produce a photo ID in order to vote. The photo shows a union worker voting earlier today on whether to sanction a new four-year contract with Boeing, clearly the union understands the need for a picture ID in order to help guarantee a clean election:



In America, one needs an ID to vote in a union election, buy liquor, drive a car, board an airplane, use a credit card and a slew of other things in our society. Yet, the Democratic party refuses to back the idea of requiring an ID to vote in state and federal elections under any circumstances. A sensible voter ID law that respects the rights of the poor, elderly, and minorities is a great idea. What are Democrats afraid of? You connect the dots.