Court of Appeals judge declares Voter ID Law constitutional

MADISON (WITI) -- A Wisconsin Court of Appeals judge has declared the controversial voter I.D. law constitutional. The law requiring all voters to show photo identification has faced several challenges in the courts. The ruling on Thursday, May 30th says the state of Wisconsin is allowed to enforce the law. However, due to several other pending lawsuits, the law will not be enforced until those suits are decided.

The League of Women Voters in Wisconsin originally got a favorable ruling in a Dane County Circuit Court, when a judge declared the law unconstitutional.  However, on appeal, the state won its case. The League of Women Voters says they are still weighing options as to whether to make an appeal to the state Supreme Court.

"We just got the news (Thursday) morning, so we have to consult with our lawyers and see what our next step will be," Mary Kae Nelson with the League of Women Voters said.

The Government Accountability Board says with at least one other lawsuit pending in state courts, and two "on hold" at the federal level, voters will not be required to show ID.

Supporters of the voter I.D. law, like Chris Kliesmet with the watchdog group Citizens for Responsible Government are calling Thursday's ruling a victory.

"We fully expected it was because it was modeled after other similar statues that were found to be constitutional. If people lose faith in the institution of a fair election it's over. Democracy is done. We can't let that happen. That's why this is more important. My thought is, this is going to the Supreme Court next. That's the final arbiter," Kliesmet said.

The next scheduled election is February of 2014.