A court decision released Wednesday in Harrisburg upholds the new voter ID law that provides Pennsylvania election officials with the ability to detect voter fraud at polling places.
 
The ruling handed down by Commonwealth Court Judge Robert Simpson denied a request for an injunction to prevent implementation of the new law passed by the legislature earlier this year.
 
House Majority Leader Mike Turzai says the measure is aimed at providing a common sense method to prevent voter fraud and protect the sanctity of every vote in Pennsylvania.

 
 
Opponents say the law will make it harder for people who lack ID for valid reasons to vote and portray the law as a partisan scheme to help the Republicans in November.
 
Lawyers from the attorney general's office, which defended the law, pointed out that the state is planning to begin issuing a special photo ID card for registered voters who are unable to get a PennDOT-issued ID and lack other acceptable photo IDs, such as passports or active-duty military IDs.