U.S. Supreme Court lets voter ID law stand

The U.S. Supreme Court has decided not to hear an appeal to the oft-challenged Georgia law that requires voters to show photo identification before they cast their ballots.

The move on Monday means a January 2009 ruling by a three-judge panel of the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to uphold the state’s photo ID law is final.

Critics have long tried to block the law, claiming it places an undue burden on poor, disabled people and minorities.

But Gov. Sonny Perdue called the decision a “victory for ensuring fair elections.”

Secretary of State Karen Handel says it’s a “common sense” issue that helps prevent voter fraud. She and other elections officials note that some 5 million residents cast ballots last year with the new restrictions in place.