• Home
  • News
    • Politics / Govt
    • Legislature
    • Crime / Courts
    • Health / Medicine
    • Archives
  • Sports
    • Badgers
    • Packers
      • Titletown Report
    • Brewers
  • Contact Us
    • Reporters
  • Affiliates
    • Affiliate Support

Wisconsin Radio Network

Wisconsin News and Sports

You are here: Home / Crime / Courts / Federal judge rejects Voter ID law

Federal judge rejects Voter ID law

April 29, 2014 By Jackie Johnson

A federal judge in Milwaukee strikes down Wisconsin’s voter ID law, saying it unfairly puts a burden on poor and minority voters.

Under Act 23, in order to vote, a person must present one of nine forms of photo ID to prove his or her identity. US District Judge Lynn Adelman says that’s a violation of the Voting Rights Act and the US Constitution. He says the burdens imposed by Act 23 fall primarily on otherwise eligible voters who do not currently possess a photo ID.

Supporters of the law argue a voter ID requirement would reduce voter fraud and increase public confidence in the integrity of elections. In his ruling, Adelman says photo ID requirements have no effect on confidence or trust in the electoral process.

State Attorney General JB Van Hollen vows to appeal the ruling. “I am disappointed with the order and continue to believe Wisconsin’s law is constitutional. We will appeal.”

Governor Scott Walker hasn’t yet reacted on the decision. He had previously said that he would call a special session of the legislature if the law he signed in 2011 was overturned. There are two separate challenges from the League of Women Voters and the NAACP’s Milwaukee branch pending before the Wisconsin Supreme Court.

“From our standpoint this looks pretty strong,” said Jay Heck with Common Cause Wisconsin. “I expect that we’ll see another attempt to impose some sort of voter photo ID law before the November elections. But certainly for time being it’s good to see justice prevail.”

Speaker Robin Vos (R-Rochester) released the following statement:

“While I disagree with the decision, I am not surprised as we knew it was a possibility.  That’s why this session Assembly Republicans approved another version of Voter ID that we believe will withstand any court challenge.

“The U.S. Supreme Court has said Voter ID is constitutional.  We look forward to working with the governor and our colleagues in the Senate to do whatever it takes to ensure Voter ID is in place as quickly as possible.

“The integrity of our elections is too important to be caught up in the courts. Voter ID should be law in Wisconsin.”

Share this:

  • Facebook
  • Twitter

Filed Under: Crime / Courts, News, Top Story



Featured Stories

Wisconsin veterans cheer passage of PACT Act

Lasry leaves U.S. Senate race and endorses Barnes

Trump will host Waukesha campaign rally for Tim Michels

U.S. House passes Respect for Marriage Act

Former UW Chancellor Blank’s cancer diagnosis means she will not take Northwestern job

TwitterFacebook

Sports Headlines

Giannis breaks franchise scoring record, Bucks beat Nets in OT

Wisconsin’s Davis declares for NBA Draft

Badgers to face Arizona State in Las Vegas Bowl

Williams likely out for the season with broken hand

Packers releasing TE Jace Sternberger

More Sports

Tweets by @WRN

Get our news delivered to your inbox:

Enter your email address:

Delivered by FeedBurner

Copyright © 2022 · Learfield News & Ag, LLC