Voter Photo ID Law Status
Voter Photo ID Law Status Update
On Tuesday, March 6, 2012, a Dane County Circuit Court judge ordered the Governor and the Government Accountability Board to “cease immediately any effort to enforce or implement the photo identification requirements” of 2011 Wisconsin Act 23. The temporary injunction came in one of the two lawsuits in Dane County Circuit Court challenging the Voter Photo ID law.
The judge’s order is subject to appeal, but at the present time Wisconsin residents who are eligible to vote will not be required to show an acceptable photo ID to vote (either in person or by absentee ballot) at the upcoming Spring Election and Presidential Preference Primary on April 3, 2012.
The judge’s order affects only the photo ID requirements of Act 23, which made many other significant changes to Wisconsin’s election laws. Other requirements of Act 23 are still in force, including 28-consecutive day residency, poll list signing, shortened timelines for absentee voting, and the prohibition of the use of a corroborator in lieu of proof of residence.
The Wisconsin Division of Motor Vehicles will continue to provide free state ID cards to persons who qualify for them. The G.A.B. will communicate with the local election officials and the public about the impact of the judge’s ruling. As further information becomes available, updates will be provided on this website.