PLBC joins NAACP at rally against controversial voter ID law

HARRISBURG, Aug. 1 – State Rep. Ronald Waters, D-Delaware/Phila., joined members of the Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus, the NAACP, and other prominent public figures on the front steps of the state Capitol last week to rally in opposition of the recently enacted voter ID law.

The law requires all voters to present an unexpired, valid government photo ID in order to vote, and proponents of the law argue that it ensures fairness in elections by eradicating some forms of voter fraud.

Waters and the PLBC have long argued that there is no evidence suggesting that in-person voter fraud is an issue in Pennsylvania, and he used his podium time to at the rally to suggest an even greater fraud.

“The voter fraud did not occur in the voting places throughout this commonwealth, the voter fraud occurred right inside this Capitol Building,” Waters cried.

The ‘fraud’ Waters was alluding to is what he described as the attempts to suppress the votes of minorities, women and seniors that were carried out by conservative leadership when they swiftly rushed the bill through the legislative process.

Waters maintained his position that the law will adversely affect the fairness of the upcoming elections by crippling the ability of over 758,000 citizens to cast their ballots, and he encouraged attendees to prepare as if the current law will stand.

“So we have a plan A, and that is to hope we get justice from the courts, but plan B should be that we should go out and make sure that every single eligible voter gets their ID so that they can vote,” Waters said.

“And the way that we can show them what we’re working with, is that we come out in record numbers and vote those bums out of office that wanted to disenfranchise us,” Waters continued.

Waters said representatives from the Department of State claim to be taking measures to educate citizens on how to obtain proper identification and accommodate those citizens who will experience difficulties, but he was fierce in his criticism of their ability and dedication to doing those things.

“The Department of State has not done any real outreach to ensure the public is completely aware of this new condition necessary to vote,” Waters said following the rally.

“This entire issue is more than just a minor inconvenience. There are real barriers in place that will keep people, who otherwise would do so, from voting this fall."

One of the barriers that Waters was referring to is the language barrier.

“A language barrier is present among citizens of our commonwealth. We must make sure that in our education process of sharing information on the new law that we include materials in various languages to assist all people in getting the proper ID to vote,” Waters said.

The PLBC was heavily represented at the rally. They shared their disdain for the voter ID law and reiterated the fact that they collectively voted against the bill. They also ensured their constituents that they will continue to fight to see the law repealed.

PLBC members who attended the event include: Rep. Vanessa Brown, D-Phila.; Rep. Curtis Thomas, D-Phila.; Sen. Vincent Hughes, D-Montgomery/Phila.; Rep. Rosita Youngblood, D-Phila.; and Sen. Anthony Williams, D-Delaware/Phila.

The rally was staged on the eve of the court hearings regarding the constitutionality of the law, and Waters says he will be watching closely as the proceedings continue.