Following a long trial challenging Pennsylvania's voter ID law, Commonwealth Court Judge Bernard L. McGinley ruled Jan. 17 to permanently enjoin the measure.

"Today's decision means that the hundreds of thousands of Pennsylvania voters who lack limited forms of voter ID no longer have to worry about this restrictive law obstructing their right to vote," said Susan J. Carty, president of League of Women Voters of Pennsylvania, one of the plaintiffs in the case. "As an organization that believes all citizens should actively participate in our government, we are glad that, by upholding voting rights, the judge ruled on the side of the people of Pennsylvania."

The plaintiffs' legal team - which includes Advancement Project, the ACLU of Pennsylvania, Arnold & Porter LLP, and the Public Interest Law Center of Philadelphia - argued the voter ID law would disenfranchise the droves of Pennsylvania voters who do not have the required forms of ID. The law was particularly burdensome on the elderly, people with disabilities, and low-income voters - groups that would have been required to travel to one of only 71 Pennsylvania Department of Transportation locations to obtain identification for voting. Attorneys also showed the state's misleading education campaign has caused widespread confusion about the law from voters and poll workers alike, and officials were simply unable to get IDs into the hands of people who needed them. And as Pennsylvania officials themselves admitted, there is no evidence of in-person voter fraud in the state.

"If upheld, this law would have had catastrophic consequences throughout the entire state by undermining access to the ballot," Carty said. "We count today's ruling a victory for all Pennsylvanians, and a victory for the integrity of our democracy."

Republican Party of Pennsylvania Chairman Rob Gleason released the following statement regarding the ruling on Pennsylvania's Voter ID law.

"The overwhelming majority of Pennsylvanians support a way to protect their right to vote and combat voter fraud. While I am extremely disappointed with today's decision, the Republican Party of Pennsylvania will continue to serve as a leading advocate for policies that ensure a fair right to vote for all Pennsylvanians."