August 12, 2011
Democrats Introduce Bill to Protect Voting Rights
Last week, my Democratic colleagues and I introduced legislation to help ensure voters are given proper information when applying for an identification card for voting purposes. Senate Bill 162, if passed, would require the DMV to notify Wisconsin citizens, on both the application for a state identification card and verbally, that a new, renewed or reinstated ID for voting purposes is free of charge.
Currently, the law requires the state to provide Wisconsin citizens who will be at least 18 years old on the date of the next election with free identification cards. However, the DMV is only required to give out free IDs if the person states that it is to be used for voting purposes. Many legislative offices have received complaints of neighbors being charged the $28 fee when applying for and ID. Voting is a constitutional right and this bill would guarantee that Wisconsin voters are provided with adequate information regarding free IDs for voting purposes so that our family, friends and neighbors are not consequently charged a poll taxed.
The passage of 2011 Wisconsin Act 23, the voter suppression bill, created significant barriers to eligible voting populations including seniors, students, minorities, people with disabilities and new residents. Many neighbors within these populations currently do not have a state issued driver’s license or state identification card, including 175,000 people over the age of 65 according to a 2005 study.
As a co-sponsor of Senate Bill 162, I support this bill, which will ensure that all of our neighbors are getting adequate and clear information regarding their voting rights. I encourage my colleagues on both sides to join me in supporting this legislation.
To view Senate Bill 162, go to:
https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/2011/related/proposals/sb162.pdf
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