(Image Source: Philadelphia Inquirer )

 

BY DAN KENNEDY

 

ANCHOR NEVILLE MILLER

 

It’s only five weeks until the presidential election but a big decision from a Pennsylvania judge Tuesday morning could impact which way the state swings.

Commonwealth Court Judge Robert Simpson blocked Pennsylvania’s voter identification requirement from going into effect for the November election. He issued an injunction against the new state law. Pennsylvanians will not have to show a voter ID to vote.

MSNBC’s Pete Williams explains Judge Simpson’s decision.

“All the people that would have to get new photo IDs, he doubts there’s enough time to get them. So he says, I’m just not convinced in my predictive judgement that there won’t be any voter disenfranchisement arising from this new law.”

The voter ID law has sparked divisive debate between the two parties. WCAU’s Tim Furlong explains why this is a high-profile political issue.

“This has become very politically charged with republicans saying this is only to prevent voter fraud and democrats saying this is only the republican’s way of keeping many voters away from the polls primarily younger voters and more specifically elderly voters.”

And Fox News’ Bill Hemmer explains what today’s injunction means for GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney.

“Pennsylvania is a state with 20 electoral votes on the line. It has not been won by a republican since 1988. But it’s heavily contested every year. Does Barack Obama have a lead on Mitt Romney now? Perhaps he does if you believe the polls.”

A political science professor at Hiram College tells CNN this is a big momentum swing for President Obama.

“Now you can definitely say Pennsylvania leans blue, leans toward Obama without Voter ID sort of gumming up the works.”

An appeal to the state Supreme Court is still possible. Under Simpson’s ruling, the law could go into full effect next year.