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Judge upholds Ind. voter ID law
By ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published April 15, 2006
INDIANAPOLIS - A federal judge on Friday upheld an Indiana law requiring voters to present photo identification, saying it is constitutional and places reasonable restrictions on casting a ballot.
Judge Sarah Evans Barker rejected a challenge filed last year by the Indiana Democratic Party and other groups after the Republican-controlled Legislature required most voters to show government-issued photo ID.
Barker turned down claims that the law would unfairly affect the poor, minorities, people with disabilities and the elderly, who may struggle to get a photo ID.
Challengers had not produced evidence of anyone who would be unable to vote under the new law, she wrote.
Mike Edmondson, executive director of the state Democratic Party, said he anticipated an appeal.
"It's a disappointing day for democracy in Indiana," he said.
"At a time when voter turnout is consistently low, we're now trying to make it harder for people to get to the polls."
Indiana is one of six states that require photo ID, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. Eighteen others require ID but not a photo.
Civil rights groups have asked the U.S. Justice Department to block a new Georgia law that requires a photo ID to vote.
[Last modified April 15, 2006, 00:53:01]
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