Proposed Wisconsin voter ID bill would be “most restrictive” in the nation

This week, the Wisconsin Assembly will take up a voter ID bill that Common Cause Wisconsin calls “the most restrictive voter identification law in the nation.”

Like other legislatures throughout the Midwest (like Ohio and Minnesota),  the Wisconsin legislature is looking to require photo identification in order to cast a ballot. The bill would require voters to have a Wisconsin state drivers’ license, Wisconsin Department of Transportation ID card, US Military ID, US passport, a Tribal ID or naturalization papers. No other forms of identification would be accepted.

In February, Common Cause Wisconsin asked “In a period of huge budget deficits and strained state and local finances, is this a new and significant expense Wisconsin taxpayers should be forced to shoulder?  Does Wisconsin really want to make it more difficult for all of its citizens to vote than even in Alabama or Mississippi, and have a one of the lowest voter participation rates in the nation?”

The Wisconsin legislature is allowing public comment on the bill, but only on Wednesday April 27, for no longer than two minutes, and between the hours of 10 am and 4 pm.

Read the full text of the bills and read more information on Senate hearings at Common Cause Wisconsin