US Supreme Court rejected an appeal of the controversial Texas voter ID law opponents say 'penalises poor voters'

The may revisit the case before the November election

Texas lawmakers passed the controversial law in 2011 Kjetil Ree/Flickr

The US Supreme Court rejected an emergency appeal to stop Texas’ controversial voter ID law, but are open to revisiting the matter before the general election in November.

In a brief order released Friday, the Court noted the time constraints of the appeal, and said that if the US 5th Circuit Court of Appeals does not issue a ruling on the law by 20 July, the justices will consider revisiting the case if the complainant submits a new emergency appeal.

The 5th Circuit court is scheduled to hear oral arguments beginning 24 May.

The Texas legislature passed the voter ID law in 2011, which would require voters to show government issued identification before they can cast their ballot. Opponents of the law believe it will place undue financial burden on low-income people in the state and will violate the Voter Rights Act.

And while the state does issue free voter identification, critics of the law say that still does not factor in the cost of documents like birth certificates, as well as travel. They also say the law disproportionately affects poor black and Latino voters.

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton was pleased with the Supreme Court’s decision to uphold the “common-sense law”.

“We appreciate the Supreme Court allowing the law to remain in effect at this time,” Mr Paxton said in a statement, “and look forward to defending the merits of our case in front of the entire 5th Circuit next month.”