Court reinstates Texas voter ID law

• The court says its decision hinged on timing


• The law requires voters to present photo ID at the polls

(CNN) -- Less than a week before early voting begins in the state, a federal appeals court has said that Texas' controversial voter ID law can go into effect.

The enforcement order, issued Tuesday by a federal appeals court, comes days after a district court judge struck down the law.

The 5th Circuit Court of Appeals effectively puts a stay on the district court's ruling. It said its decision hinged on timing.

The ruling, it said, was "based primarily on the extremely fast-approaching election date."

"The Supreme Court has repeatedly instructed courts to consider the importance of preserving the status quo on the eve of an election."

The voter ID law in place requires that voters present photographic identification at the polls

The first day of early voting in Texas is Monday, October 20.

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