Radio Smart Talk: Top Stories of 2012 -- Voter ID

Radio Smart Talk for Thursday, December 27:

Pennsylvania’s Voter ID law was one of the most controversial issues the state has faced in decades. 

As part of witf’s Top Stories of 2012 series, Radio Smart Talk looks back at the law’s enactment, the confusion it created, the allegations of partisan politics, and eventually the court case that resulted in voters casting ballots without being required to show identification first.

Republican legislators across the country and in Pennsylvania pushed through voter ID laws because they said it would eliminate voter fraud and ensure the integrity of elections – especially in an important presidential election year.

Critics immediately accused the GOP of attempting to disenfranchise elderly, poor, and minority voters who were most unlikely to have IDs.  They pointed out those groups usually vote for Democrats.

There was much confusion throughout the year about obtaining IDs or what forms of IDs were acceptable.

The case went before two appellate courts in Pennsylvania and eventually IDs weren’t required to vote in November, although the law isn’t dead.

You can hear the whole story on today’s program.  Listen now: