In an order issued Friday, Pulaski County Circuit Judge Tim Fox has formally ruled that Arkansas' voter-ID law is unconstitutional, but is keeping the stay he had originally issued from the bench.
Fox had struck down the law in a separate case that had focused on absentee ballots, but the state Supreme Court had tossed out that decision. Justices said Fox didn't have authority to strike down the law in that case.
Fox had stayed his original ruling through the May 20 primary, and Friday's order kept the stay on that decision.
Four registered voters in Pulaski County presented a motion for a preliminary injunction challenging the voter-ID provisions in a May 2 hearing.
The plaintiffs —Freedom Kohls, Toylanda Smith, Joe Flakes and Barry Haas — filed their lawsuit on April 16, alleging that the “proof of identity” requirements for voters are unconstitutional.
The Arkansas Supreme Court granted the plaintiffs’ motion for preliminary injunction and enjoined the defendants, Secretary of State Mark Martin and officials within the state Board of Election Commissioners.
Information for this article was contributed by The Associated Press.