Voter Photo ID Law Status
Voter Photo ID Law Status Update
Two separate judges, on March 6 and March 12, 2012, have issued injunctions preventing the Government Accountability Board from enforcing photo ID requirements in 2011 Act 23. The Wisconsin Department of Justice has appealed those injunctions, and the appeals have been certified to the Wisconsin Supreme Court, which on April 16 sent them back to the respective Courts of Appeals.
Because of these injunctions, 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 Partisan Primary on August 14, 2012.
The judges' orders affect 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.