Poll workers will be required to ask voters for photo identification during this summer’s state Senate recall elections — but poll workers can’t stop residents from casting their ballots, at least for now.
The Government Accountability Board, the state agency that oversees elections, issued a reminder this week regarding the recently enacted voter ID law. While the requirement that all voters produce a photo ID does not go into effect until the 2012 spring primary, the new law requires that voters be asked for the information beginning with the recall elections.
In 2012, voters who do not have identification on them when they show up at the polls will be given conditional ballots that will be counted only if they can produce identification later.
The 8th Senate District seat now held by Alberta Darling covers parts of Milwaukee, Waukesha, Ozaukee and Washington counties. Barring any court rulings that could delay the recall process, a primary election is set for July 12 and the general election is scheduled for Aug. 9.
Washington County Clerk Brenda Jaszewski said that requiring poll workers to ask even though the identification is a way of training them. “It’s just a way of preparing poll workers for the the changes that are coming,” she said.
Janice Moyer, the clerk in Menomonee Falls, predicted that there would be some confusion. “We’re having a hard enough time getting ready for the election,” Moyer said. “There are so many changes, but we are managing.”
Full Article: Voter ID Law In Effect for Recall Election — Sort Of – Fox Point-Bayside, WI Patch.