Also addressed in Peterson's ruling was the state's ID petition process, or IDPP — the system qualified voters use to obtain a free ID from the state. The lawsuit argued the IDPP is ineffective and has failed minority groups in particular.

Peterson found the system does not require "wholesale invalidation," but ordered several changes to it.

Laws left untouched by Peterson's ruling include provisions eliminating straight-ticket voting, statewide special registration deputies and the use of corroboration for registration.

Department of Justice spokesman Johnny Koremenos said last week the agency was reviewing and analyzing the court's "lengthy order," but based on an initial reading, planned to appeal it to the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals.

The plaintiffs preempted that move on Tuesday.

Also this week, the DOJ filed a motion in the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals seeking an emergency stay in a separate voting laws case in which a federal judge ruled that Wisconsin voters without proper ID can vote using an affidavit.

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