The decision is the latest in a string of victories against
voter-ID laws, which have become a hot racial and political issue
across the United States. Last month, judges overturned voter ID
laws in Wisconsin and Arkansas.
A Pennsylvania state appellate court judge had issued an injunction
in January of this year blocking the enforcement of the 2012
measure, finding it unconstitutional.
"We commend the governor for not continuing to push a dangerous and
unnecessary law that would disenfranchise hundreds of thousands of
voters," said Witold Walczak, legal director of the American Civil
Liberties Union of Pennsylvania, one of the groups that filed suit
against the law.
Nearly three dozen U.S. states have passed laws requiring voters to
prove their identity at polling places. Democrats generally oppose
the measures and many Republicans back them.
Supporters have said the Pennsylvania law was aimed at ensuring that
only those legally eligible to vote cast ballots. Critics have said
it was designed to keep minority voters, who typically vote
Democratic, away from the polls.
Corbett, a Republican who is running for a second term, said
Thursday that requiring a photo ID was a "sensible and reasonable
measure" to assure that everyone who votes is registered.
He said he will work with the legislature to address the court's
objections to the bill, but in the meantime he wants to focus on the
state budget and other legislative priorities.
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The law, which required voters to show a state driver's license,
government employee ID or a state non-driver ID, has been the
subject of heated debate since it was passed in March 2012 by a
Republican-led legislature.
It has never been implemented, due to a series of court rulings.
The state of Pennsylvania has acknowledged there has never been a
case of in-person voter fraud, according to court testimony.
(Reporting by Dave Warner in Philadelphia; Editing by Mary
Wisniewski and Ken Wills)
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