(The Center Square) – Wisconsin voters will decide if there should be a state constitution requirement to produce valid photo identification for future elections.
The Wisconsin State Assembly voted to approve the resolution, passed a week earlier by the Senate. The measure will be on the April 1 ballot.
“Voter ID has been state law for over 10 years, and we cannot afford the chance for activist Supreme Court justices to strip away election integrity in Wisconsin,” said Rep. Alex Dallman, R-Markesan.
The measure passed 54-45. All Democrats voted against Senate Joint Resolution 2.
“Voter ID is a common-sense measure to protect the integrity of our elections, promote confidence in the electoral process, and, according to a recent Pew Research Center poll, is supported by 81% of Americans,” said Rep. Jerry O’Connor, R-Fond du Lac. “IDs are already required to purchase alcohol or cigarettes, open a bank account, get married, donate blood, and apply for FoodShare, Medicaid, BadgerCare, and Social Security.”
O’Connor said IDs are easy and free to obtain through the Department of Transportation website or the ID hotline at 844-588-1069.
Democrats voting against the measure said that it will disenfranchise Wisconsin voters.
“The only real purpose AJR1/SJR2 would serve is to make it more difficult for eligible citizens to exercise their fundamental right to vote,” said Rep. Renuka Mayadev, D-Madison. “Studies consistently show that people of color, people with disabilities, and people of modest means are less likely to have the government-issued ID that this law would require. This action is a naked attempt to suppress Wisconsin voters. The Wisconsin Constitution is there to protect the right to vote, not to deny it as this proposal will do.”
