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Republicans in the Wisconsin legislature tried to overhaul election laws in 2011, instituting a strict photo ID requirement and significant restrictions on early voting. The photo ID requirements have been challenged in court and may or may not be in place for the November 2012 elections. Here's what you need to know if you want to vote in Wisconsin in 2012.
WHAT HAS CHANGED
Photo ID Mandate
In 2011, Gov. Scott Walker signed one of the strictest photo ID laws in the country. Recently, two Wisconsin state court judges issued injunctions, halting implementation of the law requiring voters to present photo identification at the polls. The voter ID law will not be applicable for the recall elections; however, we suggest you take ID with you to the polls. The judges' decisions are being challenged in a higher court and could be overturned. Therefore, we urge you to continue to check for updates on the legal challenges to the Wisconsin voter ID law and whether you will need to present photo identification for any upcoming Wisconsin elections.
Reduction in Early Voting
Wisconsin has reduced early voting to begin on the 15th day before the election and end on the Friday before Election Day, cutting by more than half the period when people may vote in person by absentee ballot.
PHOTO ID REQUIREMENTS
Again, while the voter ID law will not be applicable for the April 3 primary, a higher court could overturn the injunction on the law, putting these strict photo ID requirements back in place.
Under the 2011 photo ID law, the following forms of ID are acceptable to vote:
- A Wisconsin Department of Transportation (DOT)-issued driver license;
- A Wisconsin DOT-issued identification card;
- An identification card issued by a U.S. uniformed service;
- A U.S. passport;
(The forms of identification above must be unexpired or, if expired, have expired after the date of the most recent general election.)
- A certificate of naturalization that was issued not earlier than two years before the date of an election at which it is presented;
- An unexpired driving receipt issued by Wisconsin DOT;
- An unexpired identification card receipt issued by Wisconsin DOT;
- An identification card issued by a federally recognized Indian tribe in Wisconsin; and
- An unexpired identification card issued by a Wisconsin-accredited university or college that contains the following:
o Date of issuance
o Signature of student, and
o Expiration date not later than two years after date of issuance
If you don't have a photo ID, you can get one for FREE. Here's how:
Wisconsin's law requires the Department of Transportation to provide a free ID card to anyone who will be at least 18 years of age on the date of the next election and who requests a free ID for the purpose of voting. The regular fee is $28. You can apply for a free ID at your local DMV office. Find your local DMV office at http://dot.wi.gov/about/locate/dmv/scmap.htm.
What will I need to bring to the DMV to get a free ID?
- Proof of your name and date of birth, such as a certified birth certificate;
- Proof of identity, such as a Social Security card;
- Proof of Wisconsin residency, such as a recent utility bill;
- Proof of U.S. citizenship, such as a certified birth certificate; and
- Your Social Security number.
For more information about obtaining a free ID, and to find a list of other acceptable documents that you can use to get a free ID, please visit: http://bringit.wisconsin.gov/
Due to the need to provide a birth certificate and/or other documents to receive a DOT-issued ID, start the process of getting an ID well in advance of the election in which you want to vote.