Judge considers new requirement for voter ID

LITTLE ROCK—An Arkansas judge is weighing whether to block enforcement of a voter ID law that’s nearly identical to a measure struck down by the state’s highest court about four years ago.

Pulaski County Circuit Judge Alice Gray didn’t say after a day of testimony Monday when she’ll rule on a request to block the law.

Testimony included state election officials and the Little Rock voter who is challenging the measure. The lawsuit by voter Barry Haas contends that the law, enacted last year, circumvents a 2014 Arkansas Supreme Court ruling that struck down a previous voter ID measure. Attorneys for the state say the restriction is a way to verify a voter’s registration.

Haas was one of four voters who challenged the previous photo ID requirement.