Secretary of state: Don't block voter-ID law

Wednesday, July 9, 2014

LITTLE ROCK — Arkansas Secretary of State Mark Martin's office is asking a judge to deny a request to block a voter-ID law, saying it would cause "irreparable harm" to the state.

Martin's office on Wednesday asked Pulaski County Circuit Judge Tim Fox to deny a motion lift the stay on his decision against the law, which requires voters to show photo identification before casting a ballot. Fox ruled the law unconstitutional in May, but suspended his decision. That ruling has been appealed to the state Supreme Court.

The American Civil Liberties Union of Arkansas has asked Fox to lift his stay, saying more than 1,000 voters were disenfranchised in the primary because of the law.

Martin's office asked Fox for a hearing on the ACLU's motion.