State begins voter ID appeal process

Associated Press

Updated: Jul 23, 2012 4:33 PM

MADISON (AP) — The state Justice Department has begun the process of appealing a Madison judge's order blocking Wisconsin's new voter identification law.

Republicans passed a bill last year that requires all voters to show photo identification at the polls. Dane County Circuit Judge David Flanagan ruled last week that the law impairs the right to vote.

Republican Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen, who leads the Justice Department, has said he believes the law is constitutional. On Monday the agency filed an appeal notice with the 2nd District Court of Appeals in Waukesha, a Republican stronghold.

The notice begins the appeal process.

Another Madison judge has blocked the law in a separate lawsuit. Van Hollen is appealing that decision, too.

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