Judges deny appeal to voter ID law

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Appellate court judges in Wisconsin on Wednesday denied an appeal to overturn an injunction on the state’s voter identification law.

The one-page order, issued by the District 2 Court of Appeals in Waukesha, denied the state’s appeal on the grounds that the case is in trial before Dane County Circuit Court Judge David Flanagan and awaiting a decision, pending the submission of final briefs by parties.

On March 28, the appellate court sent the case to the state Supreme Court for review and certification. But the Supreme Court, on April 16, declined to take the case.

The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People and immigrant advocacy group Voces de la Frontera filed a lawsuit in Madison in December alleging the ID requirements create an unreasonable burden on voters. But state attorneys argue that few people lack photo IDs and that concerns about obtaining IDs are overblown.

Flanagan has temporarily blocked the law from taking effect while he considers both sides’ arguments. A four-day bench trial concluded on April 19 after Flanagan said he didn’t need to hear oral arguments. He said he wants final positions outlined in briefs. He set a June 18 due date for the last set of filings.