Supreme Court refuses to block Texas voter ID law

WASHINGTON – The Supreme Court has rejected an emergency appeal to stop Texas from enforcing its challenged voter ID law.

The law has been in effect for recent elections, even after a trial judge struck it down in 2014 and an appellate panel found last year the law had a discriminatory effect on minority voters.

The challengers in the ongoing lawsuit argue there is no reason to allow the requirement to show picture identification at the polls to remain in place.

But justices rejected the plea Friday. The full New Orleans-based appeals court will hold a new hearing on the Texas law in May.

The high court says it could revisit the issue later this year.