In a move with significant implications for the 2012 elections, the Obama administration on Friday blocked a South Carolina voter ID law from taking effect because of concerns that it would have a disproportionate effect on minority voters.

The law, which was passed last spring by the South Carolina state legislature and signed by Governor Nikki Haley, requires voters to present some form of photo ID, such as a driver’s license, passport, or military identification, along with their voter’s registration.

According to Reuters, ‘The Justice Department said the requirement could harm the right to vote of tens of thousands of people, noting that just over a third of the state’s minorities who are registered voters did not have a driver’s license needed to cast a ballot.