Wisconsin recently passed a law that will require all voters to show a photo ID in order to get a ballot at the polls, starting with the 2012 elections.
The following forms of ID will be accepted:
- Wisconsin-issued driver’s license or state ID card;
- U.S. passport;
- a military ID;
- Indian Tribal card from a federally recognized tribe within Wisconsin;
- certificate of naturalization; or
- student ID card if it is issued by a Wisconsin-accredited college or university and contains the issuance date, student’s signature, and an expiration date no later than two years after its issuance date.
A valid photo ID is not required to contain your current address.
The law does not go into effect until next year, but Wisconsin officials are using the upcoming recall elections as a “soft launch” of the new policy. Elections officials will be requesting – but not requiring – photo IDs to vote in the recalls. Any voter that comes to the polls without an ID will be given a flyer outlining the new law and the types of photo ID required for the next election. (If you go to the polls and are not allowed to vote for whatever reason, make sure you call 866-OUR-VOTE for legal assistance.)
So how do you get an ID if you don’t have one?
The new law requires the Department of Transportation to provide free ID cards. Voters requesting or renewing an ID card will see a box on the DMV form asking if he or she can verify that they will be 18 by the next election, that he or she is a U.S. citizen, and needs a free ID card in order to vote. Anyone meeting the criteria will have the fee waived, saving $28. You must check the box!
When you go to the DMV, you will need to provide the following:
- Proof of name and date of birth, for example, a U.S. birth certificate, valid passport, or certificate of naturalization
- Proof of identity (a document with a signature or a photo)
- Proof of Wisconsin Residency, which can be a pay check stub with your name and address, utility or phone bill, certified school record or transcript, mortgage documents, Forward Wisconsin ID Medical Assistance Card or Wisconsin Quest Card
- Proof of U.S. citizenship
- Your social security number
Learn more about the new law and requirements at http://www.dot.wisconsin.gov/drivers/drivers/apply/idcard.htm.
You can find your nearest DMV and which services they offer at http://www.dot.state.wi.us/about/locate/dmv/scmap.htm.
Questions? Throw them in the comments.
Tags: DMV, photo ID, suppression is un-American, Wisconsin, young voters
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Becca Ward Bio: Duke University, Class of 2012 Majoring in Public Policy, Certificate in Energy and the Environment From Portland, Oregon. Aquarius @BeccawkWard Email the author at: blog(at)rockthevote.com |
