Federal appeals court allows Wisconsin to enforce Voter ID laws
CHICAGO -- The United States Seventh District Court of Appeals has lifted the hold on Wisconsin's Voter ID law passed by a Republican-controlled state legislature in 2011.
The written judgment from the appellate court says if Wisconsin wishes to, it may enforce photo ID requirements for the November 2014 elections.
A U.S. district court struck down the Voter ID law in 2012. The appeals court judgment says the Wisconsin Voter ID law is \"materially identical\" to the Voter ID law passed in Indiana. The Indiana law was upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court in 2008.
Read the full judgement from the U.S. Court of Appeals
The Government Accountability Board says it is making every effort to fully implement Wisconsin's Voter ID law for November's general election.
Governor Scott Walker is calling this ruling a \"win for the electoral process and voters in Wisconsin\".
\"Today's ruling makes it easier to vote and harder to cheat\", says Governor Walker.
Wisconsin Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen released the following statement:
“Today’s decision is a victory for common sense, fair elections, and the right of every eligible voter to cast a vote that will count. This ruling vindicates the law and our efforts to ensure the policy of this state will be in effect for November’s election.
My staff and I will work with the Government Accountability Board to ensure every eligible voter will be able to cast a ballot”