Brady Pleased With Decision Not to Appeal PA Voter ID Ruling

May 9, 2014 (Washington, D.C.) Committee on House Administration Ranking Member, Robert A. Brady (D-PA), expressed his support of the decision by Pennsylvania Governor, Tom Corbett, not to appeal a recent ruling striking down a Republican-backed voter ID law.

“The court’s ruling was an important victory in the fight to protect every Pennsylvanian’s constitutionally guaranteed right to vote,” said Brady. “After three consecutive courts recognized the unreasonable burden created by this law with no real justification, I’m glad that Governor Corbett has finally gotten the message and will stop wasting millions of taxpayer dollars to promote and enforce a law which only serves to keep students, seniors, and minorities from making their voices heard."

The Pennsylvania Voter ID law was signed by Governor Tom Corbett in March 2012, but a partial preliminary injunction was issued by the Commonwealth Court in October 2012 which prevented implementation for the 2012 general election.  The preliminary injunction was extended in February 2013 and again in August 2013.  The burdensome requirement cost Pennsylvania taxpayers millions of dollars, despite no evidence of fraud and a likelihood of disenfranchising thousands. 

Rep. Brady has been a leading advocate in the fight for voter rights and ensuring that all eligible voters have full and unimpeded access to the ballot box. He has worked closely with Democratic leadership on bolstering the Voting Rights Act, getting secret money out of politics, and assisting our overseas and military voters. As the leading Democrat on the Committee on House Administration, he has been a strong advocate for clean and fair elections.