The partisan primary election is less than one month away. On Aug. 9, many of us will vote in a primary election to determine the candidates who will be on the general election ballot in November.
In a partisan primary, you are only allowed to cast votes in one party. For example, if there are two Republicans running for a specific seat and two Democrats running for a specific seat, you may only vote Republican or Democrat - not both.
As your state senator, I wanted to remind you that you will need to bring photo identification to vote in August. If you do not have a valid form of photo identification for voting, now is the time to make plans to get your ID. For a full overview of the photo ID requirement, visit the Elections Commission, formerly the Government Accountability Board, online at www.gab.wi.gov/elections-voting/photo-id
The following forms of photo ID are acceptable for voting purposes, and can be unexpired or expired after the date of the most recent general election (currently, the Nov. 4, 2014 election):
• A Wisconsin Department of Transportation-issued driver license, even if driving privileges are revoked or suspended
• A Wisconsin DOT-issued identification card
• A Wisconsin DOT-issued identification card or driver license without a photo issued under the religious exemption
• Military ID card issued by a U.S. uniformed service
• A U.S. passport
• An identification card issued by a federally recognized Indian tribe in Wisconsin, which may be used even if expired before the most recent general election
The following forms of photo IDs are also acceptable for voting purposes, but must be unexpired:
• New: A veteran's photo identification card issued by the Veterans Health Administration of the federal Department of Veterans Affairs
• A certificate of naturalization that was issued not earlier than two years before the date of an election at which it is presented
• A driving receipt issued by Wisconsin DOT (valid for 45 days)
• An identification card receipt issued by Wisconsin DOT (valid for 45 days)
• A photo identification card issued by a Wisconsin-accredited university, college or technical college that contains date of issuance, signature of student, and an expiration date no later than two years after date of issuance. Also, the university, college or technical college ID must be accompanied by a separate document that proves enrollment.
• A citation or notice of intent to revoke or suspend a Wisconsin DOT-issued driver license that is dated within 60 days of the date of the election.
There are some exceptions to the photo ID requirement for military absentee, people who cannot leave their residence indefinitely and for religious reasons. For more information on these exceptions, see bringit.wisconsin.gov/are-there-exceptions-new-law
If you do not have any of the IDs mentioned in these lists, please make plans to visit a Wisconsin Department of Motor Vehicles office to request a free Wisconsin identification card for the purposes of voting.
Most people should bring a certified birth certificate, a Social Security card and a utility bill or cell phone bill for the required documentation necessary to get an ID. However, if you do not have one of these items, there are other acceptable documents. The DMV's requirements fall into four categories:
• Proof of name and date of birth: Documents such as birth certificates, current U.S. passport, valid foreign passport, certificate of naturalization and more.
• Proof of identity: Documents such as Social Security card, military discharge papers, U.S. Government and military dependent ID card, certified marriage certificate, judgment of divorce and more.
• Proof of citizenship or legal status: Documents such as U.S. state or local government-issued birth certificate, U.S. certificate of citizenship and more.
• Proof of Wisconsin residency: Documents such as utility bill, cell phone bill, bank account statement, employee photo ID from a current employer, paycheck stub, hunting or fishing license and more.
For a full list of valid documentation, visit bringit.wisconsin.gov/how-do-i-get-free-state-id-card
The DMV locations in our counties follow. For more locations visit wisconsindot.gov/Pages/online-srvcs/find-dmv/default.aspx
Green County
Monroe Service Center
815 1st Ave.
Monroe, WI 53566
Tuesday: 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Thursday: 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Lafayette County
Darlington Service Center
197 Christensen Drive
Darlington, WI 53530
Monday: 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Wednesday: 7 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Again, plan ahead. If you, or someone you know, do not have a valid photo ID for the upcoming election, make plans to visit a DMV to get your free ID. Your vote matters. Every vote matters.
For more information and to connect with me, visit my website at legis.wisconsin.gov/senate/17/marklein and subscribe to my weekly E-Update by sending an email to Sen.Marklein@legis.wisconsin.gov. Do not hesitate to call 800-978-8008 if you have input, ideas or need assistance with any state-related matters.
- Sen. Howard Marklein represents Wisconsin's 17th Senate District. His column is published Mondays in the Times.
In a partisan primary, you are only allowed to cast votes in one party. For example, if there are two Republicans running for a specific seat and two Democrats running for a specific seat, you may only vote Republican or Democrat - not both.
As your state senator, I wanted to remind you that you will need to bring photo identification to vote in August. If you do not have a valid form of photo identification for voting, now is the time to make plans to get your ID. For a full overview of the photo ID requirement, visit the Elections Commission, formerly the Government Accountability Board, online at www.gab.wi.gov/elections-voting/photo-id
The following forms of photo ID are acceptable for voting purposes, and can be unexpired or expired after the date of the most recent general election (currently, the Nov. 4, 2014 election):
• A Wisconsin Department of Transportation-issued driver license, even if driving privileges are revoked or suspended
• A Wisconsin DOT-issued identification card
• A Wisconsin DOT-issued identification card or driver license without a photo issued under the religious exemption
• Military ID card issued by a U.S. uniformed service
• A U.S. passport
• An identification card issued by a federally recognized Indian tribe in Wisconsin, which may be used even if expired before the most recent general election
The following forms of photo IDs are also acceptable for voting purposes, but must be unexpired:
• New: A veteran's photo identification card issued by the Veterans Health Administration of the federal Department of Veterans Affairs
• A certificate of naturalization that was issued not earlier than two years before the date of an election at which it is presented
• A driving receipt issued by Wisconsin DOT (valid for 45 days)
• An identification card receipt issued by Wisconsin DOT (valid for 45 days)
• A photo identification card issued by a Wisconsin-accredited university, college or technical college that contains date of issuance, signature of student, and an expiration date no later than two years after date of issuance. Also, the university, college or technical college ID must be accompanied by a separate document that proves enrollment.
• A citation or notice of intent to revoke or suspend a Wisconsin DOT-issued driver license that is dated within 60 days of the date of the election.
There are some exceptions to the photo ID requirement for military absentee, people who cannot leave their residence indefinitely and for religious reasons. For more information on these exceptions, see bringit.wisconsin.gov/are-there-exceptions-new-law
If you do not have any of the IDs mentioned in these lists, please make plans to visit a Wisconsin Department of Motor Vehicles office to request a free Wisconsin identification card for the purposes of voting.
Most people should bring a certified birth certificate, a Social Security card and a utility bill or cell phone bill for the required documentation necessary to get an ID. However, if you do not have one of these items, there are other acceptable documents. The DMV's requirements fall into four categories:
• Proof of name and date of birth: Documents such as birth certificates, current U.S. passport, valid foreign passport, certificate of naturalization and more.
• Proof of identity: Documents such as Social Security card, military discharge papers, U.S. Government and military dependent ID card, certified marriage certificate, judgment of divorce and more.
• Proof of citizenship or legal status: Documents such as U.S. state or local government-issued birth certificate, U.S. certificate of citizenship and more.
• Proof of Wisconsin residency: Documents such as utility bill, cell phone bill, bank account statement, employee photo ID from a current employer, paycheck stub, hunting or fishing license and more.
For a full list of valid documentation, visit bringit.wisconsin.gov/how-do-i-get-free-state-id-card
The DMV locations in our counties follow. For more locations visit wisconsindot.gov/Pages/online-srvcs/find-dmv/default.aspx
Green County
Monroe Service Center
815 1st Ave.
Monroe, WI 53566
Tuesday: 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Thursday: 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Lafayette County
Darlington Service Center
197 Christensen Drive
Darlington, WI 53530
Monday: 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Wednesday: 7 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Again, plan ahead. If you, or someone you know, do not have a valid photo ID for the upcoming election, make plans to visit a DMV to get your free ID. Your vote matters. Every vote matters.
For more information and to connect with me, visit my website at legis.wisconsin.gov/senate/17/marklein and subscribe to my weekly E-Update by sending an email to Sen.Marklein@legis.wisconsin.gov. Do not hesitate to call 800-978-8008 if you have input, ideas or need assistance with any state-related matters.
- Sen. Howard Marklein represents Wisconsin's 17th Senate District. His column is published Mondays in the Times.
