The League of Women Voters of Wisconsin Education Network filed suit Thursday in Dane County Circuit Court, challenging the state’s new voter ID law, which is considered by many to be one of the most restrictive in the country. The league argues that the new law violates the state constitution by creating a new group of disenfranchised voters.
“Some people say that you have to show ID to use the library, cash checks, and so on,” says Melanie Ramey, the league’s president in a prepared statement. “That is very different than a right that is guaranteed by the constitution of the state or federal government. Those transactions are generally based on personal business decisions of companies or other entities. They are not rights of citizenship.”
The law was supported by the Republican-controlled Legislature and signed into law May 25 by Gov. Scott Walker. It only allows people to vote after showing Wisconsin driver’s licenses, state-issued ID cards, certain very limited student IDs, military IDs, passports, naturalization certificates or IDs issued by a tribe based in Wisconsin.
The state will issue free IDs to those who ask for one at a state Department of Voter Vehicle’s office. Those who don’t know to ask for a free card pay a $28 fee.
Full Article: Capitol Report: League of Women Voters files suit against voter ID law.