Democrats Ask Judge to Add 1 Week to Voter ID Trial

Democrats challenging Virginia's voter ID law say they have so many witnesses lined up they need the trial extended by another week.

The plaintiffs filed a motion Thursday asking a federal judge in Richmond to schedule two weeks for the trial. A one-week trial is currently set to begin Feb. 22.

Virginia law requires voters to show a photo ID at the polls. Democrats claim the law is unconstitutional because it suppresses voting rights, especially for young and minority voters.

The plaintiffs say in court papers that they will call 40 witnesses, including two dozen who will testify about how the law adversely affected them.

Lawyers for the Virginia State Board of Elections, the defendant in the lawsuit, have not yet responded to the motion to extend the trial.