The Indiana Court of Appeals struck down a state law requiring government-issued photo identification for voters. (WSBT file photo)
Story Created:
Sep 17, 2009 at 4:56 PM EST
Story Updated:
Sep 22, 2009 at 11:31 AM EST
INDIANAPOLIS — The Indiana Court of Appeals says the state's voter ID law is unconstitutional. It's a small victory for those who don't think people should be forced to show a valid ID to vote. But the battle is far from over.
Pam Brunette is the Democratic board member for St. Joseph County Voter Registration and she's much happier after the Indiana Court of Appeals decision Thursday morning.
The ruling said the state's Voter ID law violates the Indiana constitution.
"We need to make it easier for voters, not harder," said Brunette. "We want everyone to have that right."
Many Democrats believe voters were disenfranchised after state leaders passed a law in 2005 that required voters to show a government ID card at the polls before they could cast their ballot.
It was legislation Brunette believed created confusion.
"It doesn't make it uniform for the voters," she said. "You have a couple of exceptions there."
And inconsistency.
"Like state facilities — if a polling location was at a state facility, they were not required to have that ID nor were the ones voting absentee by mail," she explained.
While supporters may have won this battle, the war is far from over.
Already, state leaders are calling for an appeal.
"I think it's a preposterous decision," said Gov. Mitch Daniels. "It's an extreme decision, and came in this case from a judge who's been reversed before, and I expect that to happen again."
State Representative Jackie Walorski co-authored the bill.
"I am very disappointed in the decision by the Indiana Court of Appeals to repeal this important law protecting the integrity of our voting system," said said. "This is one measure that protects the concept of one person, one vote."
As for an appeal, it's a matter of when, not if.
A decision from the state Supreme Court — expected in three weeks — will determine if the ruling will remain in effect for the November 3 elections.
