McDaniel files notice of appeal in voter-ID case

LITTLE ROCK — Arkansas' attorney general has filed a notice to appeal a state judge's ruling that found Arkansas' new voter ID law unconstitutional.

Attorney General Dustin McDaniel filed notice Friday that his office would appeal Pulaski County Circuit Judge Tim Fox's ruling to the Arkansas Supreme Court. A day earlier, Fox ruled that Arkansas' voter ID law was "void and unenforceable."

A spokesman for the attorney general said the state will ask the Arkansas Supreme Court to stay Fox's ruling.

Meanwhile, Martha Adcock, general counsel for Secretary of State Mark Martin, on Friday asked Fox to recuse from a lawsuit filed last week challenging the new law.

Adcock cited two lawsuits questioning the eligibility of Fox and his former challenger over judicial suspensions. Martin was a co-defendant in both cases.

A hearing is scheduled for May 2 over the lawsuit challenging the voter ID restriction.

The Republican-led Legislature approved the law last year, overriding a veto by Democratic Gov. Mike Beebe. The law took effect Jan. 1 and has been used in some local elections, with the first statewide election upcoming in May.

Early voting begins May 5 for the May 20 primary.

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