A federal appeals court has upheld a lower court ruling that struck down restrictive voting provisions in a key battleground state, affirming that the measures disproportionately burdened minority voters. The decision preserves expanded early voting hours and mail-in ballot access ahead of upcoming elections.
The three-judge panel found that the state failed to demonstrate a compelling interest that justified the restrictions, noting that the evidence of voter fraud cited by state officials was minimal and did not warrant the broad limitations imposed on ballot access.
Civil rights organizations hailed the decision as a significant victory, though they acknowledged that the state is likely to appeal to the Supreme Court. The ruling adds to a growing body of federal case law examining the intersection of election administration and civil rights protections.
