Justice Dept. examines Pennsylvania voter ID law

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HARRISBURG, Pa., July 24 (UPI) -- The U.S. Justice Department has asked Pennsylvania to prove a new state voter identification law does not disproportionately impact minorities.

A letter sent Monday to Carol Aichele, acting secretary of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, requested the state's complete voter registration list and its current driver's license and ID list.

Pennsylvania is one of 12 states that have strengthened voter laws by requiring photo identification to vote, but the Justice Department is requiring the state to prove the new law does not violate Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act, which prohibits voting requirements that could be seen as obstacles to voting by minorities, CBS News said Tuesday.

The Justice Department has already blocked South Carolina and Texas from implementing voter ID laws although Texas is challenging the decision in federal court.