NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) -- A judge in Nashville has held Tennessee's voter identification statute constitutional.

The Tennessean reported the ruling by Davidson County Chancery Court Judge Carol McCoy came Wednesday.

After about three hours of oral arguments, McCoy ruled against civil rights attorney George Barrett, who contended the state constitution requires only proof of legal age, residency and registration.

In delivering her ruling, McCoy said voting procedures have evolved over the years and the legislature can enact laws that secure what the court termed "the purity of the ballot box."

Barrett argued the law, which requires a state or federal photo ID to vote, is an unconstitutional impediment.

Barrett's co-counsel, Douglas Johnson, argued the legislature's motivation in passing the law was to suppress minority participation in the November election.