The Indiana Court of Appeals today declared Indiana's voter ID law unconstitutional because it does not apply uniformly to all voters.
The three-judge panel unanimously held that the requirement that voters present government-issued identification at the polls runs afoul of the Indiana Constitution's "Equal Privileges and Immunities Clause," which provides: "The General Assembly shall not grant to any citizen, or class of citizens, privileges or immunities which, upon the same terms, shall not equally belong to all citizens."
Two reasons were cited by the Court of Appeals: the law doesn't require absentee voters to provide an affidavit affirming their identity even while requiring photo identification for in-person voters; and the law exempts residents of state-licensed care facilities from the ID requirement if their facility happens to be a polling place.
Texas Republicans have fought tooth and nail to suppress our voting rights, and they've continually pointed to the Indiana law as "proof" that it works. They have some serious egg on their face today, as the party of "No" learns what it means to be shot down for their illegal and dishonorable efforts to suppress voting rights.
Have you been tracking the results tonight? Here are the near final results with the late possibility of Gary, Indiana putting Obama over the edge and possibly winning both states.
North Carolina (99% reporting)
Obama 56.3% (winner)
Clinton 41.5%
Indiana (92% reporting)
Obama 49.1%
Clinton 50.9%
Today voters go to the polls in Indiana and North Carolina.
In North Carolina, where Obama had a 20+ point lead a month ago, the race has tightened. However, Obama still looks like a lock to hold on. The four most recent polls show him up 4, 14, 3 and 10 points, respectively.
In Indiana, a state that Obama once said could be a "tiebreaker" and is regarded by nearly everyone as a must-win state for Clinton, the polls are also close.
Clinton has led in most recent polls (including a 10 point lead in the last SUSA Poll), although Obama has a 2 point lead in the latest Zogby Poll, the last poll to be released before the primary.
For what its worth, Kos predicts Clinton 51.1%, Obama 48.9% in Indiana and Obama 56.1%, Clinton 43.9% in North Carolina.
obama smiling during editorial meet of indianapolis star in indiana
Note: Next edition of This Week With Barack Obama, April 27-May 3, 2008 will be under the management of Al Rodgers, next Sunday, May 4, 2008. I am in Indiana from Friday through Wednesday, for the crucial Indiana Primary on Tuesday May 6, 2008. I will be working in NW Indiana between Gary, Valparaiso and South Bend. So, give Al the love you give me on this weekly. Peace.
