Wisconsin Voter ID reforms back in place for midterms.

This is a pretty good summary of what happened, which is a relief, because it’s also an official document:

On August 21, 2014, this court issued an order providing that the motion for a stay would be considered by the panel assigned to decide the case on the merits. This order further provided that the state was free, in the interim, to implement the changes to the procedures for obtaining (or excusing reliance on) birth certificates, and similar documents, that the Supreme Court of Wisconsin adopted in Milwaukee Branch of NAACP v. Walker, 2014 WI 98 (July 31, 2014).

Having read the briefs and heard oral argument, this court now stays the injunction issued by the district court. The State of Wisconsin may, if it wishes (and if it is appropriate under rules of state law), enforce the photo ID requirement in this November’s elections.

More via Hot Air.  Basically, this is a definite step back for Voter ID opponents – who have, by the way, a decidedly minority opinion on this position; and I don’t mean ‘a position taken by racial minorities‘ – as they’re stuck now with a Voter ID program in Wisconsin that’s essentially identical with one that’s already passed Constitutional scrutiny. It’s going to be very interesting to see how they plan to pursue an appeal under those circumstances, although goodness knows the Democrats will certainly try.

Moe Lane