Politics & Government

Dean Will Still Work to Repeal Voter ID Law

State Rep. Dean reacts to the Voter ID law delay

 

State Rep. Madeleine Dean, D-153, said earlier this afternoon that she was pleased that Commonwealth Court Judge Robert Simpson issued a preliminary injunction on the state’s beleaguered voter ID law this morning.

Via telephone, Dean said, “I am relieved and pleased that the courts recognized what we’ve been saying all along — that this bill disenfranchises hundreds of thousands of Pennsylvania Voters. It’s a sad and cynical bill as well as costly and disruptive.”

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The law wasn’t shot down entirely. The preliminary injunction will only last until the general election. Simpson will rule on a permanent injunction after the election.

Dean said she is still working to make sure that voters have valid identification.

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“I’m interested to see if they will appeal to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court,” Dean said, “but right now, the pressure is certainly off, mostly for senior citizens.”

Dean said that she would still work to repeal the law if she is lucky enough to return in January. Dean is filling the unexpired term of then-State Rep. Josh Shapiro.

“If having an ID helps people in everyday life, we will work to get those people IDs,” Dean said, “but this [law] doesn’t repair anything and it’s not necessary for the integrity of the voting process.”

Dean said in August that about 10 percent of voters in her district were at risk of not being able to vote in November — about 4,200 people. She said many of them are elderly who have had their drivers’ licenses expire.

And, according to Dean, the cost to implement the law would have been between $5 million and $12 million.


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