On Friday, Wisconsin Senator Leibham announced plans to move legislation ahead that would propose a constitutional amendment requiring voters to present photographic identification issued by this state or by the federal government at the polls. While this proposal is being touted as a move to improve Election Day operations, its true effect could be the disenfranchisement of thousands of eligible voters who deserve to have their voices heard.
At first glance, many might think that requiring ID to vote would not create barriers. It is easy to assume that most everybody has a current, valid photo ID such as a driver's license. But what about your elderly neighbor, who gave up driving long ago? Your rural relatives, who have never had a reason to update their identification? Your disabled coworker, who relies on friends and family to get around? A low-income single mother, who simply cannot afford to spend an afternoon waiting in line at the DMV in order to update her address?
The truth is that photo ID requirements disproportionately impact the elderly, poor, disabled and minority populations who may not have the same access to an ID that we take for granted. In 2003, the Wisconsin Department of Transportation estimated that approximately 130,000 people of voting age across the state did not have a driver's license, and that only 20 percent of these people would ever obtain the necessary documentation if it was required.
Restrictive laws like the one in this proposal have been struck down in states all over the country because they create an unnecessary barrier to our most fundamental civil right. Politicians pushing for new restrictive laws would have you believe that illegal voting is rampant in this country. There is little evidence of this, and the truth is that our current laws do work to ensure the process is fair, just, secure and accessible to all.
Instead of creating roadblocks to the right to vote, the legislature should focus on supporting the Elections Commission's efforts to improve Election Day operations, foster effective training and recruitment of poll workers, and take the necessary steps to ensure every single vote is counted. We oppose any efforts that endanger the civil rights of the most vulnerable Americans. We hope readers will let their senators know that this proposal is unneeded and counter to the Wisconsin values of fair and open government.
At first glance, many might think that requiring ID to vote would not create barriers. It is easy to assume that most everybody has a current, valid photo ID such as a driver's license. But what about your elderly neighbor, who gave up driving long ago? Your rural relatives, who have never had a reason to update their identification? Your disabled coworker, who relies on friends and family to get around? A low-income single mother, who simply cannot afford to spend an afternoon waiting in line at the DMV in order to update her address?
The truth is that photo ID requirements disproportionately impact the elderly, poor, disabled and minority populations who may not have the same access to an ID that we take for granted. In 2003, the Wisconsin Department of Transportation estimated that approximately 130,000 people of voting age across the state did not have a driver's license, and that only 20 percent of these people would ever obtain the necessary documentation if it was required.
Restrictive laws like the one in this proposal have been struck down in states all over the country because they create an unnecessary barrier to our most fundamental civil right. Politicians pushing for new restrictive laws would have you believe that illegal voting is rampant in this country. There is little evidence of this, and the truth is that our current laws do work to ensure the process is fair, just, secure and accessible to all.
Instead of creating roadblocks to the right to vote, the legislature should focus on supporting the Elections Commission's efforts to improve Election Day operations, foster effective training and recruitment of poll workers, and take the necessary steps to ensure every single vote is counted. We oppose any efforts that endanger the civil rights of the most vulnerable Americans. We hope readers will let their senators know that this proposal is unneeded and counter to the Wisconsin values of fair and open government.
