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First Posted: 9/27/2012

New poll results released Wednesday show a majority of likely voters in Pennsylvania approve of the new voter ID law.

Nearly all of the 1,180 likely voters polled said they have the proper ID that will allow them to vote without any problem on Nov. 6, according to the Quinnipiac University/ CBS News/New York Times Swing State Poll.

“While judges and politicians debate Pennsylvania’s voter ID measure, voters are solidly in support of the measure, 62-35 percent,” said Peter A. Brown of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute.

The poll shows support for the bill among 92 percent of Republicans, 37 percent of Democrats and 66 percent of registered Independent voters.

Though senior citizens have been cited by opponents as voters likely to be disenfranchised, the polling shows only 36 percent of those age 55 or older oppose the law. The age group that showed the greatest opposition was 18-to-34-year-olds, with 37 percent against it.

Christopher Borick, a political science professor at Muhlenberg College in Allentown, said the poll results show the law is being viewed through a partisan lens.

“Among likely voters there is solid confidence that they have the correct ID,” Borick said. “However, it may be that marginal voters who are not being included in polls of likely voters are the least likely to have IDs and therefore not showing up in public opinion polls.”

The controversial voter ID law has spurred lawsuits and court decisions and has seen the state make changes to policies along the way.

PennDOT announced Tuesday it is easing requirements for obtaining an ID card needed to vote. The changes came hours before a Commonwealth Court hearing on whether Pennsylvania’s law will effectively strip some people of the right to vote this year.

In a 4-2 decision last week, the state Supreme Court ordered a Commonwealth Court hearing to determine whether the state is providing easy access to a valid photo ID, as promised by the law.

If it is not, or if the judge believes any registered voters will be prevented from casting a ballot, the judge should halt the law from taking effect in the election, the high court said.

The Commonwealth Court hearing held Tuesday in Harrisburg was continued until today.