Arkansas' attorney general has filed a notice to challenge 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 the state's voter ID law was "void and unenforceable."
A spokesman for the attorney general says the state will ask the Arkansas Supreme Court to stay Fox's ruling.
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.
Meanwhile an attorney for Secretary of State Mark Martin's office has asked a Judge Fox not to hear a separate case challenging the new voter ID requirement.
Martha Adcock, general counsel, Friday asked the judge to recuse himself, citing 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 other lawsuit challenging the voter ID restriction.
