DNC Statement on Indiana Voter ID Law Ruling By the Supreme Court

April 28, 2008 -- This morning, the Supreme Court handed down a ruling upholding Indiana's undemocratic and restrictive voter identification law. The Supreme Court acknowledged that "The record contains no evidence of any such [impersonation] fraud actually occurring in Indiana at any time in its history," and acknowledged the law's burden on the elderly, low-income voters and other classes of voters covering hundreds of thousands of Indiana citizens.

Yet this Court, ignoring the realities of life for the less affluent and powerful of the state's citizens, shrugged off these burdens and found that the law should stand. [New Republic Blog, 4/28/08]

After the ruling, Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean and DNC Voting Rights Institute Chair Donna Brazile issued the following statement:

"Today's decision by the Supreme Court is deeply disappointing and not justified by the facts. It is an affront to our nation's ideal that all people, regardless of their background or beliefs, have the right to vote and have that vote counted. This case has never been about securing the right to vote. Instead, it has confirmed the lengths Republicans will go to in their attempts to limit voting rights in order to win elections. This decision runs counter to the principles on which our great nation was founded, and we will not let them get away with it.

"But this ruling, while disappointing, will not halt the Democratic Party's efforts to promote and protect the right to vote. No one should mistake this decision for an invitation, let alone a requirement, for other states to impose new photo ID requirements at the polls. The DNC and state Democratic parties will redouble our efforts to block any new measure that seeks to strip any of our fellow citizens of the precious and fundamental right to vote. And we will fight in all states to remove existing obstacles to the right for all eligible Americans to vote and have their votes counted.

"As part of our efforts, the DNC's Voting Rights Institute and National Lawyers Council will work to ensure that voters in all states are educated about what is required. And looking toward November, the DNC and state Democratic parties will continue our voter protection program and field operations to make sure voters get practical, real-time assistance about securing the necessary documentation they need to vote in this critically important presidential election."

Source: DNC

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