Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen Issues Statement on Ruling in "NAACP" Voter ID Case

MADISON — Wisconsin Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen announced today that the Department of Justice will appeal the decision issued yesterday in NAACP v. Walker, et al., Dane County Case No. 11-CV-5492.  Yesterday afternoon, the Honorable David T. Flanagan issued his decision invalidating and permanently enjoining Wisconsin’s Voter ID law.

“My office will be appealing the Dane County Circuit Court’s decision in NAACP v. Walker, et al.   Voter identification helps ensure election integrity.  It is a measure that protects the right to vote.  And similar election integrity reforms have been upheld as constitutional by the United States Supreme Court. 

I believe that Wisconsin’s law complies with the state and federal constitutions and should be allowed to govern elections in this state.  So long as the injunctions remain in place in NAACP v. Walker, et al., and League of Women Voters v. Walker, et al., that will not occur.  An appeal is necessary to vindicate the law, and we look forward to presenting our arguments to the appellate court.”

A copy of Judge Flanagan’s order is available at the following link: