Jan. 3, 2008 – 1:37 p.m.
Voter ID Court Challenges Expected to Have Big Impact on 2008 Elections
By Keith Perine, CQ Staff
A pair of closely watched voting rights cases headed to the Supreme Court next week could have a greater effect on the 2008 elections than anything happening in Iowa or New Hampshire.

The high court will hear oral arguments Jan. 9 in two cases challenging the validity of an Indiana law that requires voters to produce photo identification in order to cast ballots.

Court watchers say the high court’s opinion will center on the question of what standard should be used in balancing individual voter rights against Indiana’s interest in conducting fair elections.

Opponents of the law argue it is an unconstitutional burden on voters. They say the Supreme Court should give the law “strict scrutinyâ€