Missouri Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft can continue his efforts to educate voters about the new photo ID law that went into effect June 1.
Cole County Circuit Judge Jon Beetem Tuesday afternoon denied a request that he block the law while he continues hearing a lawsuit that challenges it.
The ACLU of Missouri and the Washington, D.C.-based Advancement Project filed the suit late last week on behalf of the NAACP and the League of Women Voters, arguing the state has failed to provide mandated funding for voter education, free voter IDs and birth certificates, and training of poll workers.
They asked for a temporary restraining order so the law wouldn't be in effect next month, when voters in one St. Louis ward choose a representative to the city's Board of Aldermen, filling a vacancy created when Lyda Krewson became the city's new mayor.
Ashcroft said, in a news release: "(The) ruling is encouraging as we work to ensure every Missourian knows that if you're registered to vote, you can vote.
"Last November, 63 percent of Missourians delivered a message and supported photo voter ID, and our office remains steadfast in the mission to aggressively defend Missouri's new photo voter ID requirements."
Although Beetem denied the restraining order request, the lawsuit will continue.
The lawyers and judge will meet June 23 to schedule the next steps in the case.
In the news release announcing the lawsuit last week, ACLU Legal Director Tony Rothert said: "Voters were promised that this law was not about disenfranchising the most vulnerable in our state.
"The state's lack of funding and implementation of this law tells another story."
But Ashcroft said Tuesday: "We will continue our efforts to uphold the law, educate Missourians, work closely with local election authorities, and train poll workers."