Legal News

Supreme Court Looks at Voter ID Law

By FindLaw Staff

The U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments today in a challenge to an Indiana law that requires citizens to present a valid state identification card or U.S. passport in order to vote. According to the Associated Press, "Democrats and civil rights groups challenging the law as unconstitutional call it a thinly veiled effort to discourage elderly, poor and minority voters -- those most likely to lack proper ID and who tend to vote for Democrats." The Los Angeles Times reports that, during questioning of the attorneys during oral arguments, the justices seemed to suggest that the measure would have little impact: "Justice Anthony M. Kennedy characterized the law as posing only 'a minor inconvenience' to a small percentage of voters." The Court is expected to issue a ruling in the case before recessing at the end of June.

• Associated Press: Court Hears Indiana Voter ID Case
• L.A. Times: Supreme Court Cool to Voter ID Challenge
• Voters and Voting Rights (FindLaw)
• U.S. Supreme Court Center (FindLaw)

Full post as published by FindLaw's Common Law on January 09, 2008 (boomark / email).