Attorney General Dustin McDaniel said Wednesday that the secretary of state’s office will defend Arkansas’ voter ID law when a lawsuit over its constitutionality goes before the state Supreme Court next week. McDaniel, a Democrat, said he agreed to yield to Republican Secretary of State Mark Martin’s office the state’s argument time when justices hold a hearing on the law Oct. 2. The state has appealed Pulaski County Circuit Judge Tim Fox’s May ruling that the law, which took effect in January, violates Arkansas’ constitution. Fox stayed his ruling, meaning the law is still in effect.
McDaniel’s office representing the state Board of Election Commissioners, which is a defendant in the case.
“I have made a commitment to uphold my constitutional obligation to defend the law, and I will continue to do so as counsel to the Board,” McDaniel said in a statement released by his office. “However, Secretary Martin’s attorneys have asked to argue the appeal, and I have no objection to them taking the appellant’s argument time.”
Full Article: Arkansas AG: Martin’s office to defend voter ID – Fairfield Citizen.