Reaction to a judge's decision Tuesday that a requirement for Pennsylvania voters to show a valid photo ID will not be enforced in the Nov. 6 presidential election.
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"Today's ruling is a victory for the Pennsylvania voter. On Nov. 6, voters will no longer need to produce an identification to ensure that their vote is counted. As we look toward 2013, the Pennsylvania NAACP will take this battle from the courts to the Legislature. We are confident that this state will not tolerate voter suppression." — Benjamin Todd Jealous, president and CEO of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People.
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"The judge's concern was whether all voters would be able to get an ID by Nov. 6. We think they would have been able to, particularly with the streamlined process that was set up. ... As of now, the voter ID (law) is in effect, it's just not required at the moment. We believe and expect that in future elections voters will be required to show an ID to vote." — Pennsylvania Department of State spokesman Ron Ruman.
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"This decision makes one thing clear for the people there: If you are eligible to vote you will be able to vote on election day. We believe that the right to vote is an American value. It's something that people should have the opportunity to do if they are eligible. We're encouraged by it. As we've done in many other states, we'll be focused on making sure people in Pennsylvania are educated on how they can vote, when they can vote and how to participate in the process." Barack Obama campaign spokesman Jen Psaki.
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"We are pleased with Judge Simpson's decision to uphold the constitutionality of the voter ID law. While we believe we have made it possible for every registered voter who needs voter identification to obtain one, we'll continue our efforts for the next election and all future elections, to make sure every registered voter has the proper identification in an effort to preserve the integrity of our voting process in Pennsylvania." — Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Corbett.
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"Today is a significant victory in the fight to make sure everyone has the right to vote in November, but the Pennsylvania Democratic Party is remaining vigilant to ensure that voters are educated about the voting process and they are protected when they cast their vote." — Pennsylvania Democratic Party Chairman Jim Burn
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"I am disappointed by today's ruling to postpone the full implementation of a commonsense reform that helps protect the sanctity of our electoral process. ... Poll after poll has shown that Pennsylvanians from both political parties overwhelmingly support Voter ID legislation because, despite the empty rhetoric to the contrary, this legislation is still about ensuring one person, one vote. Our party remains committed to the citizens of the Commonwealth and we will do all that we can to ensure free and fair elections." — Pennsylvania Republican Party Chairman Rob Gleason
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"Justice Simpson's final decision is out of bounds with the rule of law, constitutional checks and balances for the individual branches of state government, and most importantly, the will of the people. Rather than making a ruling based on the constitution and the law, this judicial activist decision is skewed in favor of the lazy who refuse to exercise the necessary work ethic to meet the commonsense requirements to obtain an acceptable photo ID." — state Rep. Daryl Metcalfe, R-Butler, chief sponsor of Pennsylvania's voter ID law.
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"This law will no longer disrupt thousands of citizens from exercising their constitutional right to express themselves at the polls on Election Day. This law was a bad solution looking for a non-existent problem, and we have other things to focus on — like making sure that people are registered to vote by October 9th. I am very proud of the coalition's coordinated effort to get information out about the upcoming election. My message to residents of Philadelphia is: do not be dissuaded from voting in November. Despite the confusion surrounding this issue, please come out and exercise your right to be heard." — Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter, a Democrat who also serves as president of the U.S. Conference of Mayors.
