With recall elections looming and a national election coming in November of this year, liberals have claimed that the new Wisconsin Voter Photo ID Law will disenfranchise voters. But it’s easy to acquire the necessary identification that allows a Wisconsinite to vote.
There is no such thing as a "Wisconsin Voter ID Card." The new Voter Photo ID Law merely uses existing photo IDs for people to prove their identity before voting. Most state residents already possess the necessary identification that will allow them to cast their vote, so they don’t have to do anything except show up at the polls with the proper identification.
These photo ID cards are acceptable for voting purposes under the new Wisconsin Voter ID law, and can be unexpired or expired:
- A Wisconsin DOT-issued driver license, even if driving privileges are revoked or suspended.
- A Wisconsin DOT-issued identification card.
- Military ID card issued by a U.S. uniformed service.
- A U.S. passport.
These photo IDs are also acceptable for voting purposes, but must be unexpired:
- 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).
- An identification card issued by a federally recognized Indian tribe in Wisconsin.
- A photo identification card issued by a Wisconsin accredited university or 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 or college ID must be accompanied by a separate document that proves enrollment.
To make things easier, the address on your ID doesn’t even have to be current. Of course, there are certain requirements. Your ID should look like you. Even if you’ve colored your hair, shaved your beard or lost some weight, as long as your photo ID reasonably resembles you, it should be accepted.
What if you don’t have any of the above ID cards? There are ways in which to get one for free. To get a free ID card, you will need to take a few documents to your local Division of Motor Vehicles office.
There's a long list of documents you can use, but most people will be fine with a certified birth certificate, a Social Security card and a utility bill or cell phone bill.
Just be sure to bring originals — photocopies don’t work — and check the box that says “ID for Free” on your application. Once it’s complete, you’ll get a receipt (valid for 45 days) that you can use at the polls until your state ID arrives by mail.
There is also a long list of alternative documents that will allow voters to receive their identification card.. To learn which documents can be used as an alternative to those listed above, click here.
With all these options, no Wisconsin resident should be unable to vote in upcoming elections.
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