Wis. judge to hear arguments in voter ID lawsuit

MADISON, Wis. — A Wisconsin judge is set to hear arguments in a lawsuit against the state’s controversial new voter identification law.

Judge Richard Niess will hear oral arguments Thursday against the law from the League of Women Voters in Dane County Circuit Court. Niess will decide if the case should proceed.

The lawsuit names Gov. Scott Walker and members of the Government Accountability Board. Attorneys for the defendants want the case dismissed.

The League of Women Voters say the law disenfranchises eligible voters. But supporters of the law say it helps prevent fraud.

The American Civil Liberties Union and the NAACP’s Milwaukee chapter have also filed lawsuits against the law. Those suits are still pending.

The law is scheduled to be in effect for the state’s spring primary in February.