An order blocking the State of Wisconsin from implementing some of its most restrictive Voter ID law requirements will remain in place. With the 2016 election coming right up, time is running short.
A three-judge panel of the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals decided unanimously that the state could not maintain restrictions upon absentee ballot submissions, student IDs, or early voting times and hours including weekend voting.
But the court allowed the IDPP (ID petition process) to remain in effect temporarily as it was streamlined and modified as a result of this lawsuit. The DMV is required to issue IDs for those who apply in a single visit by accepting whatever documents they provide. Because of this streamlined process, voters will not be allowed to complete affidavits at the polls instead of presenting ID.
Background: 2016 Election Uncertainty Continues As Wisconsin Appeals Voter ID Decision
The voting rights group One Wisconsin Institute announced on its website:
“A panel of three judges, appointed by Republican presidents, today rejected the latest efforts of Gov. Walker and Attorney General Brad Schimel to keep in place laws for the November 2016 election that Judge Peterson found ran afoul of the Constitution and were enacted for partisan gain.
“This is a huge victory for Wisconsin voters. We hope municipalities across the state will quickly move forward in offering expanded in-person absentee voting hours to ensure all Wisconsinites are able to exercise their right to vote.” (bold added)
The state may consider asking for reconsideration by all nine of the judges on the Seventh Circuit court. This would be a long shot, as the three judges who decided unanimously were all Republican appointees.
The state may also consider an appeal to the Supreme Court. With the big court split four to four, a victory there seems impossible.