Wisconsin’s new voter ID law has been dealt another blow. A judge in Madison on Monday issued a permanent injunction against the photo ID requirement. As WUWM’s Marti Mikkelson reports, supporters plan to appeal. Under the Republican-approved Voter ID law, people must present a valid driver’s license or other government issued photo identification in order to vote. The law took effect for local primary elections in February, but low turnout resulted in few problems. Last week, a judge temporarily blocked the photo requirement, barring it from being in effect for the April 3 presidential primary. On Monday, Dane County Circuit Judge Richard Niess issued a permanent order. He ruled in the lawsuit the League of Women Voters of Wisconsin filed. Executive Director Andrea Kaminski says it based its challenge on Wisconsin’s constitution.
“Our lawsuit was based on very clear language in the state constitution which defines who is eligible to vote and specifically limits the kind of legislation that the Legislature may enact. The Legislature is authorized to enact laws that define how and when and where people will vote but they can’t pass laws that disenfranchise otherwise qualified citizens,” Kaminski says.
The two judges’ rulings concern only the photo ID portion of the law, not its other provisions, such as required signing the poll book and the dates surrounding absentee voting. While supporters insist the law will safeguard against fraud, Attorney Richard Saks says there have been only a few documented cases of wrongdoing. Saks represents Voces de la Frontera, another group fighting photo ID.
“Professor Mayer testified at great length on the issue of vote fraud. He investigated the last three official investigations that had been conducted in the state of Wisconsin and he concluded that not one instance of fraud prosecuted by authorities would have been prevented or deterred by the photo ID requirement,” Saks says.
Full Article: WUWM: News – Supporters Plan to Appeal Voter ID Decision.