2nd judge strikes down voter identification law

MADISON (AP) - A second Wisconsin judge struck down the state's voter identification law on Monday, less than a week after another judge temporarily stopped it.

Dane County Circuit Judge Richard Niess issued a permanent injunction calling the law unconstitutional because its requirements abridge the right to vote.

• Click here to read the judge's full ruling

The ruling complicates plans by state board of election officials to have the voter ID law in effect for the April 3 presidential primary.

The lawsuit was filed last year by the League of Women Voters.

It's one of four lawsuits filed against the law, which just took effect this year.

From a temporary injunction to a permanent one, if the most recent ruling stands, it looks as though voters will be able to keep their ID's in their pockets when heading to the polls for future elections.

The League of Women Voters says that's how it should be.

"In Wisconsin, our law, it specifically states who is able to vote and it says nothing about presenting a photo ID," explained Action Chair of the Greater Green Bay chapter Patricia Finder-Stone.

Finder-Stone was pleased with Monday's ruling.

She says the law would hinder the right for some people to vote.

"I do think it's common sense, certainly to our constitution, this is the law," Finder-Stone said.

"Voter ID, the thing about it, it is the most common sense piece of legislation we could have," explained Governor Scott Walker.

But the Governor feels the opposite, and believes the ruling won't stand.

"I think ultimately the law has been upheld in other states, and I believe it will be upheld in Wisconsin," Walker said.

The law is also getting some support from a local government.

In a 5 to 2 vote Monday night, members of the Howard Village Board passed a resolution in support of the law.

"We've spent a lot of time and resources here in the village of Howard to ensure these elections are accessible as well as protected from fraud," explained Village Trustee David Steffen. "That is what this resolution is all about.  It's doing what we can as a village to have our voices heard on this very important issue."

However those opposed to the law feel the important issue, is making sure the Voter ID law is overturned.

"Voter fraud is no more poisonous to our democracy than voter suppression and that indeed is what I see, it's a monster," Finder-Stone said.

State attorney general J.B. Van Hollen says he plans to appeal both this ruling and last week's ruling.                     

However, a spokesperson told FOX 11, they don't know when those appeals will be filed.