North Penn Politicos React to PA Voter ID Ruling

The Voter ID Law delay today means citizens are free to vote on Nov. 6 without identification. They can still be asked to show identification at the polls, like in the Primary, but can vote without it.

Furthermore, an appeal on the GOP side of the issue is possible.

Even with the ruling, the debate continues between Republicans and advocates of voter's rights.

Debbie Zitin, head of the Montgomery Township Democratic Committee, said she is thrilled with the ruling. Yet, Zitin holds reservations about the appeal.

“I hope it’s too late to do anything about that,” Zitin said.

Zitin organizes people to cover eight polling districts in the township, on top of working the polls on Election Day.

“I am really happy,” she said. “The new law would have been a nightmare for the people working inside the polls and for the people working outside trying to help the voters.”

Zitin said there is “no legitimate reason” for the law, other than disenfranchising voters.

“This is 2012 — not 1912,” Zitin said.

She said Pennsylvania already has some of the most archaic voting laws.

“In the state of Washington, you can vote by mail,” she said. “Now that makes the most sense.”

Lansdale Mayor Andy Szekely is disappointed with the ruling.

“Recently, Al Schmidt, one of the commissioners of the City of Philadelphia, issued a report detailing the voting irregularities in the 2012 Primary in Philadelphia,” Szekely said. “In several precincts in the city in the last election cycle, races were very close. In fact, close enough that as little as a few votes determined the outcome.”

Szekely said that is troubling.

“While it may be a bit of an inconvenience to have to get an ID to vote, I believe that it is a small price to pay to have the privilege to vote,” he said.

Voter ID, he said, protects his vote.

“My vote, and your vote and everyone else’s vote,” he said.

Will Sylianteng, who is running against Republican Todd Stephens for the Pennsylvania 151st District in November, commends the Supreme Court and Commonwealth Court for their halts to the law — at least for 2012.

“It is clear that the courts recognized that the Voter ID Law was rushed through the Legislature by my opponent and his colleagues in order to suppress Democratic votes,” he said.

He said Stephens and legislators like him should not attempt to manipulate the law for their own political gains, all the while not be diligent in protecting a precious right.

“I urge the people of the 151st to choose a new way forward,” Sylianteng said.
Lansdale Democratic Committee Chairman Jack Hansen said the ruling is a win for all the people.

“All can vote for their choice for President,” he said. “I’m not discounting all the other elections, but most people are concentrating their attention on the Presidential race.”

Hansen expects the courts to refocus attention to the law and its aspects, and in the end, overturn it.

“Any law that violates peoples’ rights is a bad law, and voting is a right,” he said. “I enjoy my right to vote. I hope all the hubbub over this law gets more people excited, and they register to vote, and they exercise that right in every election.”

Other GOP and Democratic representatives from the North Penn region were contacted for comment. Their responses will be added to this story once received by Patch.