MADISON, Wis. (AP) — The Wisconsin Department of Justice on Monday asked a judge to immediately put on hold his order that would require elections officials to verify the citizenship of all 3.6 million registered Wisconsin voters before the next statewide election in February.

The state justice department, which represents the Wisconsin Elections Commission, is seeking the stay of Friday's ruling pending an appeal.

Waukesha County Circuit Judge Michael Maxwell scheduled a hearing on the request for Oct. 31, saying issuing an immediate stay would violate due process. He did temporarily block a section of his order that prohibits the commission from accepting any request to register as a voter without verification that the applicant is a U.S. citizen.

The fight over verifying the citizens

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