CRANBERRY TWP — State Rep. Daryl Metcalfe said Friday that the judge deciding the fate of the state’s new voter identification law is an “activist judge” who Metcalfe said will likely strike down parts of the provision.

Commonwealth Judge Robert Simpson held hearings this week regarding the case at the request of the state Supreme Court. His ruling on the legality of the bill, which Metcalfe sponsored, is expected by Tuesday.

In an interview, Metcalfe said the Judge Simpson would overstep his authority if he grants an injunction on the law or if he makes provisions to allow some people to vote without valid identification.

“That’s not really the court’s place to do that,” Metcalfe said. “If the judge does that, he’d be overstepping his given authority and acting as a judicial activist rather than a judge making a ruling based on the constitution and the law.”

Metcalfe, R-12th, added the U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that voter ID laws are not “too great a burden for any citizen to comply with” and that a lower court in Pennsylvania shouldn’t go against that sentiment.

“Is (presenting a photo ID) too great a burden to expect from a citizen so they can vote?” Metcalfe said. “No, and the Supreme Court found that.”