HARRISBURG, Pa. (WHTM) -
As a Pennsylvania judge barred the implementation of Pennsylvania's photo identification law, 11 other states nationwide geared up for an election where they will require voters to show a photo ID at the polls.
The National Conference of State Legislatures' (NCSL) said laws requiring voters to show some form of identification at the polls have been a "hot topic in state legislatures over the past decade."
A complete list of states that have similar laws is available on the National Conference of State Legislatures' (NCSL) website.
Commonwealth Court Judge Robert Simpson ruled Tuesday morning that Pennsylvania voters do not have to show a photo ID when they vote in November. While voters will be asked to show their ID, they will not be turned away if they don't have one.
Simpson's ruling will only hold off the law for this year's election. Planning for a full hearing on the law will start in November.
Pennsylvania's law, passed earlier this year, was challenged in court by several plaintiffs who say the law disenfranchises minority voters as well as the young and old, who they say don't have a valid photo ID.
Lawyer David Gersch, who represents the plaintiffs challenging Pennsylvania's law, said today's decision by Simpson is a victory for Pennsylvania.
"This is a big win for Pennsylvania voters," he said.
But he's not stopping there. Gersch said he will continue to pursue a further repeal of the law.
"There's no place in the act that guarantees a reasonable way that every qualified Pennsylvania voter can get an ID," he said. "So that's a problem, and that's a problem that will continue."
Governor Tom Corbett said he is pleased that Simpson upheld the constitutionality of the voter ID law.
"We'll continue our efforts for the next election and all future elections, to make sure every registered voter has the proper identification," Corbett said.
Democratic Senator Mike Sturla (D-Lancaster) has been outspoken against the law and said he is glad Simpson realized it is "unreasonable to require longtime voters .. to obtain nonexistent documentation."
