Feds Join Challenge Of Ohio Early Voting Rules

The Justice Department has sided with challengers of early voting laws in Ohio and Wisconsin, saying measures in those states unfairly affect minority voters.  At issue is an Ohio law limiting when voters may cast an early ballot, and a Wisconsin law requiring voters to present photo ID at the polls.  The Justice Department warned of legal actions against states after the U.S. Supreme Court last year wiped out a major provision of the Voting Rights Act. Last year the department submitted court filings joining with challengers who want the measures declared invalid.