For Immediate Release

Contact:  Don Adams, 215.620.3055

                 Cort Rosholt, 609.354.8767

Tea Party Applauds Judge's Decision on Voter ID;

Says Further Reforms are Needed to Insure Voter Integrity

Philadelphia, PA (August 15, 2012) -- Judge Robert E. Simpson's rejection, today, of the plaintiff's request for an injunction against the Pennsylvania voter ID law is being applauded by the Independence Hall Tea Party Association, the oldest and largest Tea Party group in the tri-state region, whose members backed the bill before it was introduced in the 2011-2012 legislative session.

"In his 70-page decision, Judge Simpson declared that the plaintiffs, led by the ACLU, had not established that 'disenfranchisement [of voters] was immediate or inevitable,'" said Association President, Teri Adams.   "And we couldn't agree more.

"The judge further ruled that overturning the law would negatively impact the

ongoing electoral process--a disruption that we think would confuse voters.

"We congratulate Senior Deputy Attorney General, Patrick Cawley, for successfully arguing the case. 

"We also thank State Representatives Stephen Barrar and Darryl Metcalfe, whom we met with in December, 2010, prior to their introduction of the bill in the current legislative session."

"We anticipate that the ACLU will appeal the ruling to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court and we predict that the court will ultimately uphold Judge Simpson's well-reasoned opinion," said Ms. Adams. 

"In the meantime, our group will continue to staunchly advocate for voter integrity as it relates not only to voter ID, but to voter registration as well." 

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