WILLIAM CRAWFORD, et al., Petitioners v. MARION COUNTY ELECTION BOARD et al. (553 U.S. 181)
U.S. Supreme Court · decided April 28, 2008 · Supreme Court Database (Spaeth)
- Citation
- 553 U.S. 181 · 128 S. Ct. 1610
- Decided
- April 28, 2008
- Term
- October Term 2007
- Vote
- 6–3
- Majority author
- Justice Stevens
- Issue area
- Civil Rights
- Disposition
- Affirmed
- Outcome
- Petitioning party lost
- Ideological direction
- Conservative
Opinion excerpt
Justice Stevens announced the judgment of the Court and delivered an opinion, in which The Chief Justice and Justice Kennedy join. At issue in these cases is the constitutionality of an Indiana statute requiring citizens voting in person on election day, or casting a ballot in person at the office of the circuit court clerk prior to election day, to present photo identification issued by the government. Referred to as either the “Voter ID Law” or “SEA 483,” the statute applies to in-person voting at both primary and general elections. The requirement does not apply to absentee ballots submitted by mail, and the statute contains an exception for persons living and voting in a state-licensed facility such as a nursing home. Ind. Code Ann. § 3-11-8-25.1(e) (West Supp. 2007). A voter who is indigent or has a religious objection to being photographed may cast a provisional ballot that will be counted only if she executes an appropriate affidavit before the circuit court clerk within 10 days following the election. §§3-11.7-5-1 (West Supp. 2007), 3-11.7-5-2.5(c) (West 2006)., A voter who has photo identification but is unable to present that identification on election day may file a provisional ballot that will be counted if she brings her photo identification to the circuit court clerk’s office within 10 days. §3-11.7-5-2.5(b). No photo identification is required in order to…
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