Judge says voting rules won't change for August election

MADISON — A federal judge hearing challenges to Wisconsin's voter identification law says the rules for the August primary election will be the same as they were for the April presidential primary.

U.S. District Judge James Peterson said Thursday in court that he expects to issue a ruling in the lawsuit by the end of July. He says because of that, it's not realistic that there would be time to make any changes to the August 9 election.

More than a dozen voting-related laws passed by the Republican-controlled Legislature and signed by Gov. Scott Walker, including voter ID, are being challenged by a pair of liberal advocacy groups and voters.

Peterson says he feels an urgency in making a ruling, and he anticipates whatever he decides will be appealed.