Update: Voter ID law unlikely to affect election

Although aspects of Wisconsin's Voter ID law are in legal limbo, the University of Wisconsin System is urging campuses and students to be prepared for "an election where Voter ID is in play." Two separate court orders currently block the photo identification requirements of the law and the Wisconsin Supreme Court recently sent the matter back to the Court of Appeals.     

"Currently, just to be clear, the law is not in effect," Associate System Legal CounselMatthew Lind said during a statewide teleconference Wednesday. "However, we cannot say unequivocally that there is absolutely no chance that it will be in effect in November."

Lind said regardless of the law's current legal standing, Regents of the UW System want to make sure all campuses are providing Voter ID-compliant identification cards to students who request them. Students wanting more information--on questions of voter eligibility in Wisconsin, the need to register, needed documentation, and more--can view the "UW System Student Voting Guide for Wisconsin" available online.

Potential voters have options when it comes to voter registration. Most Wisconsin residents over the age of 16 already have a photo ID that meets state requirements for voting, Lind said, adding it's as close as their wallet or purse.

"A driver's license can be a voter ID, even if the address on the driver's license is not current," Lind said. "Also, a driver's license or other state ID card issued by the Wisconsin DMV (Department of Motor Vehicles) can be used as long as they expired after the last general election which was Nov. 2nd of 2010."

Later in the teleconference, Lind said enrollment verification is an important issue for students wanting to vote in Wisconsin. UW-Parkside students can receive enrollment verification from the Registrar's Office.  

However, students who register to vote earlier than 20 days before the Nov. 6 election, don't need to provide enrollment verification. Simply bring proof of residency--Lind said a bank statement or cell phone bill with your current address--to the clerk's office.

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ABOUT THIS STORY:

Story Status: Archived
Publish date: 10/3/2012

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