RICHMOND, Va. — A Virginia law that required voters bring identification to the polls before casting a vote was upheld by the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.
Democrats unsuccessfully argued the Virginia voter ID law can serve as a deterrent to young and minority voters.
“I am pleased that Virginia’s photo ID law was upheld today in a 3-0 appeals court ruling. Today’s ruling is a victory for a commonsense law that protects the integrity of Virginia’s elections,” Virginia House Speaker Del. Bill Howell (R – Stafford) said in a statement. “Earlier this year, we saw multiple cases of voter fraud throughout the Commonwealth. This law was carefully crafted to provide an extra layer of protection to ensure the sanctity of the ballot box.”
Earlier this year, a federal judge upheld the Republican-led Voter ID Law that was signed by then Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell in 2013.
Mark Hearne, independent counsel for the state attorney general, argued there was nothing constitutionally invalid to having every registered voter in Virginia use a photo ID to vote.
However, attorney Bruce Spiva who represented those opposed to the law, said there was factual evidence that Virginia has a history of racial discrimination and the photo-ID law may have been issued with discriminatory intent.
