NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — A judge in Nashville has upheld Tennessee's voter identification statute.
The Tennessean reports that after about three hours of oral arguments yesterday, Judge Carol McCoy ruled against civil rights attorney George Barrett in the case. Barrett contended the state constitution requires only proof of legal age, residency and registration to vote.
The judge responded that voting procedures have evolved over the years and the legislature can enact laws that secure what the court termed "the purity of the ballot box."
Barrett argued the law, which requires a state or federal photo ID to vote, is an unconstitutional impediment and intended to suppress minority participation in the November election.