A Wisconsin appeals court overturned a ruling by a Dane County judge Thursday, deeming a 2011 law requiring voters to present ID at the polls constitutional.

The 4th District Court of Appeals said the law, which requires voters to present certain forms of photo identification at the polls, did not violate the state constitution, removing an injunction placed on the law last year. 

The League of Women Voters of Wisconsin, which brought the case to court, argued that the law violated Article 3 of the Wisconsin Constitution by making it more difficult for groups such as the elderly, students and the poor to vote, Andrea Kaminski, the organization’s executive director, said.

“We opposed the law because it set up unnecessary barriers to voting that place a heavier burden on some groups of people more than others.” Kaminski said.

While the voter ID law remains blocked by an injunction from a different Dane County circuit court, Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, R-Racine, said in a statement that the ruling was a significant step in requiring voter photo identification.

“This ruling is a positive development in the ongoing process to ensure Voter ID is in place in Wisconsin.” Vos said in the statement.

Adding that the court’s ruling affirms “a reasonable and sensible change” to state law by the Legislature, Vos said the decision defends the Legislature’s right to make laws and protects policies from being dictated by liberal judges.

However, Kaminski said the Legislature did not have the authority to require photo identification, as indicated by the circuit court’s earlier decision on the case.

U.S. Rep. Mark Pocan, D-Madison, emphasized the importance of voting rights in a statement Thursday, adding that the right to vote for citizens must be protected by the U.S. Constitution before it is restricted by laws such as the voter ID law.

“While I expect that today’s decision is not the last word on Wisconsin’s Voter ID law, it demonstrates that now more than ever, we need an amendment to the U.S. Constitution that will ensure all Americans have a guaranteed, affirmative right to vote.” Pocan said.

According to Kaminski, the  League of Women Voters can appeal the case to the state Supreme Court and is weighing its options before deciding-a process that Kaminski said will most likely take a week.

In accordance with the present ruling, however, Vos said he believes requiring a photo ID in order to protect the democratic process makes sense, as a photo ID is also required to drive, bank or buy types of cold medicine.

“Wisconsin’s Voter ID law is designed to protect the integrity of our elections,” Vos said.