Black Community News News and Commentary for Christians
Although the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in 2008 that Indiana’s voter ID law was constitutional, the same court overruled the 7th Circuit and struck down Wisconsin’s voter ID law. Why? From The Hill:
The court did not give any reasoning in a brief order overruling the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals, which on Monday upheld the voter ID law.
Three of the high court’s conservatives, Justices Samuel Alito, Antonin Scalia and Clarence Thomas, dissented.
Laws requring photo identification at the polls have been controversial across the country, with Republicans arguing they prevent voter fraud and Democrats saying they are attempts to discourage poor and minority people from voting.
The departing Attorney General said he’s pleased with the ruling. The 7th Circuit bowed to precedent when it upheld Wisconsin’s law, citing the Supreme Court’s decision on Indiana. The reportedly close governor’s race between Republican Scott Walker and Democrat Mary Burke might have factored into the court’s decision.
The Hill also reports that a court struck down a voter ID law in Texas, contending that the measure places an “unconstitutional burden” on voting rights that supposedly impacts members of certain racial and ethnic minorities.
