Appeals Court Sends Part of Voter ID Challenge Back to Judge

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — A federal appellate court says a judge must address whether Wisconsin's voter photo identification law applies to people who face stiff obstacles in obtaining identification.

The American Civil Liberties Union and the National Law Center for Homelessness and Poverty filed a federal lawsuit in 2011 challenging the law. The 7th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals ultimately upheld the law in 2014.

The groups have continued to argue some people qualified to vote are entitled to relief because they face daunting obstacles to obtaining IDs. The 7th Circuit Tuesday ordered U.S. District Judge Lynn Adelman to consider those arguments.

A spokesman for the state Justice Department, which is defending the law, didn't immediately return messages. ACLU attorney Sean Young says he'll push for allowing people facing difficulties to vote by affidavit.

Share this article: