Pennsylvania has long been one of the most important states in the American electoral college, and an integral piece to win in any successful presidential election. The state is also home to Philadelphia, site of Independence Hall and the Continental Congress. Pennsylvania is the sixth most populous state in the union. Just over 50% of voters in the state are registered Democrats. Unaffiliated voters make up 5.82% of the electorate. Despite the disadvantage in registration, Republicans achieved multiple political victories in the state in 2010. In 2012, Pennsylvania has continued to make headlines due to concerns over a newly enacted Voter ID law.
Only two states still maintain liquor stores. The privatization of liquor stores is now being pursued by Pennsylvania’s Republican governor, Tom Corbett.
Pennsylvania, with twenty electoral votes by itself and close proximity to Ohio is the state the Republicans have selected as the big state they need to flip to make up for a probable Ohio loss.
Today Quinnipiac University released their latest presidential polls showing President Obama with a healthy five point lead in the critically important state of Ohio. President Obama also leads in polling in.
Democrats may suffer at the ballot booth in some states as a result of the Hurricane Sandy Effect on election turnout and election day precipitation.
In 2012, both major party presidential candidates are looking to Ohio to secure victory in the Electoral College, and no Republican candidate has ever won the presidency without at least.
For months, a battle has been raging in Pennsylvania parallel to the presidential race. It is a battle over the rules governing the election itself. With so much at stake this election cycle, party leaders are taking advantage of every opportunity to gain votes.
In a ruling today, Commonwealth Court Judge Robert Simpson put the Pennsylvania voter ID debate to rest by ruling that voters in Pennslyvania will not have to show a photo.
