Federal appeals court orders Wisconsin's voter ID law to be reinstated

CHICAGO/MILWAUKEE (AP/WITI) — A federal appeals court has reinstated Wisconsin's voter photo identification law.

U.S. District Judge Lynn Adelman struck the law down as unconstitutional in April, saying it unfairly burdens poor and minority voters who may lack such identification. Republican Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen asked the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals in Chicago to overturn that ruling.

The 7th Circuit issued a ruling late Friday afternoon lifting Aldeman's stay and allowing the law to go into effect before the November elections.

State attorneys asked a three-judge 7th Circuit panel during oral arguments on Friday to immediately reinstate the law.

Van Hollen's appeal remains in play, however. The judges say they'll issue a ruling on the merits later.

Here's a look at the forms of ID that are acceptable:

In April, the state's voter ID law was ruled unconstitutional, and a stay was issued.

Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen appealed to overturn that ruling. Meanwhile, state attorneys asked a panel of judges to lift the stay, and allow the law to go into effect -- prior to the November elections.

In response to the Director of the Government Accountability Board, Kevin Kennedy issued a statement:

The judges will determine the merits of attorney general Van Hollen's appeal at a later date, but as of this afternoon Wisconsin voters will need to show a photo ID in order to cast their ballots.

Voter ID opponents are outraged, saying it unnecessarily burdens people lacking birth certificates or proper identification.

"For many voters this requires scores of hours of time and expenditures of money just to navigate your way through the various governmental bureaucracies just to get a voter ID," said Attorney, Richard Saks.

Those in favor of the law say it helps stop voter fraud.

"We don't want to block access to anyone from elections, but what we want to ensure is that anyone who is there to vote, is there legally to vote," said Republican State Senate from River Hills, Alberta Darling.

Something opponents disagree with and vow to continue to fight.

"We believe in voting, and the right to vote and making the vote available to everyone, so we will not be dissuaded from that effort," said Milwaukee NAACP President, James Hall.

While the judge's lifted what is known as a "stay," they did not make a final decision. They say that is coming in the future.

Governor Scott Walker released the following statement in response to the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals ruling upholding Wisconsin's voter ID legislation:

The following statement is from Mary Burke's camp regarding the ruling by the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals:

Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen issued the following statement after today's ruling by the Seventh District Court of Appeals:

Mayor Barrett issued a statement regarding today's decision on voter ID:

Kevin Kennedy, director and general counsel of the Government Accountability Board, issued this statement on the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals' order staying the injunction in the Wisconsin voter photo ID case:

Statement from Chris Ahmuty, ACLU of Wisconsin Executive Director:

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