Justice Department asks appeals court to stay voter ID ruling

MADISON — State attorneys have asked a federal appeals court to temporarily block a ruling allowing Wisconsin residents to vote without photo identification.


U.S. District Judge Lynn Adelman issued an injunction in July -- allowing people struggling to obtain IDs to vote in the November 8th election if they sign an affidavit.

State Justice Department attorneys filed notice of appeal July 22nd with the U.S. 7th Circuit Court of Appeals. They asked Adelman to stay his ruling pending the appeal's outcome but Adelman refused.

The DOJ asked the 7th Circuit to stay the ruling Monday, August 1st -- arguing it's necessary to avoid voter confusion and the state would expend resources preparing an affidavit process.

Adelman's ruling is separate from a decision a federal judge in Madison issued last week loosening voter ID requirements.