Wisconsin election officials raised concerns Tuesday that some voters won’t be able to get IDs in time to vote in the Nov. 8 presidential election — potentially violating a court order. In response, a Division of Motor Vehicles official said the state would use overnight mail to get people voting credentials in some cases to make sure they can more easily vote. Courts have kept Wisconsin’s voter ID law in place, but have ruled state officials must promptly provide free voting credentials to people who don’t have IDs, even if they lack birth certificates or other identity documents. Three members of the state Elections Commission said they were worried people who wait to obtain IDs until close to the election won’t be able to get them in time to have their votes counted.
That’s because the DMV provides some voting credentials by mail, rather than in person. That raises the risk that those who visit a DMV center close to the election won’t get what they need to vote until too late, commissioners said.
“Everyone has a constitutional right to have their ballot counted,” said Mark Thomsen, chairman of the commission. “It’s up to us to do everything we can (to make sure people can vote).”
Commissioner Ann Jacobs said at Tuesday’s meeting she would like to see the DMV provide all voting credentials over the counter instead of through the mail when it gets close to the election.
Full Article: Some could have trouble getting ID near election.