Indiana: 7th Circuit upholds voter I.D. law
AP reports: Republicans hailed a federal court ruling upholding Indiana’s voter ID law as a victory for voting reforms, while opponents of the law planned their next move.
The 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Chicago ruled 2-1 Thursday that Indiana’s law, which requires voters to show a photo ID at the polls, has the potential to do more good than harm.
The Republican-controlled Legislature approved the law in 2005, saying it would help prevent voter fraud. But the Indiana Democratic Party and the American Civil Liberties Union say the law unfairly affects people who may struggle to obtain a photo ID.
Ken Falk, legal director of the ACLU of Indiana, said he was disappointed with the ruling by the three-judge panel.
“I have not spoken with my clients yet, but I’m going to recommend a rehearing before the entire 7th Circuit,” he said Thursday.
The three-judge panel questioned arguments that Indiana’s rule is unfair to poor, elderly, minority and disabled voters, and pointed out that opponents could not find anyone unable to cast a ballot under the new law. -- News-Sentinel | 01/05/2007 | Voter ID law upheld by federal court