League of Women Voters urges Wisconsin lawmakers to reject costly voter ID bill
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The Senate Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety convened on January 7, 2025, to discuss a contentious voter ID bill that has sparked significant debate among lawmakers and advocacy groups. The League of Women Voters has strongly urged legislators to reject the proposed legislation, arguing that it would undermine the integrity of Wisconsin's electoral process and disenfranchise eligible voters.
Andrea Kaminsky, then director of the League, emphasized that the bill, which mandates state-issued photo identification for voting, is unnecessary and costly. She pointed out that illegal voting is exceedingly rare in Wisconsin, with only 18 substantiated cases out of nearly three million votes cast in the last election. Kaminsky argued that the proposed law would not address any real issues of voter fraud and would instead create barriers for many citizens, particularly the elderly, people with disabilities, and students.
The League highlighted that approximately 11% of the national population lacks the required ID, which could prevent eligible voters from exercising their constitutional rights. Although the bill claims to provide free IDs, Kaminsky noted that individuals would need to navigate a complex process to obtain them, often incurring additional costs for transportation and documentation.
The financial implications of the bill were also a focal point of the discussion. The legislative fiscal bureau estimated that implementing the voter ID law would cost the Department of Motor Vehicles $2.3 million annually, not including the potential costs to local governments for training election officials. Kaminsky described the legislation as a "net loss for democracy," arguing that it would not only fail to solve any existing problems but would also impose significant burdens on voters.
During the meeting, committee members engaged in a dialogue about the potential disenfranchisement of voters. Kaminsky explained that disenfranchisement can occur in various ways, including individuals feeling unable to procure necessary documentation or lacking the means to reach polling places. She stressed that any eligible voter who feels they cannot cast their ballot represents a failure of the system.
As the committee continues to deliberate on the bill, the League of Women Voters remains steadfast in its position, urging lawmakers to prioritize the protection of voting rights and to reject any measures that could hinder access to the ballot box. The outcome of this discussion will have lasting implications for Wisconsin's electoral landscape and the rights of its citizens to participate in the democratic process.
Andrea Kaminsky, then director of the League, emphasized that the bill, which mandates state-issued photo identification for voting, is unnecessary and costly. She pointed out that illegal voting is exceedingly rare in Wisconsin, with only 18 substantiated cases out of nearly three million votes cast in the last election. Kaminsky argued that the proposed law would not address any real issues of voter fraud and would instead create barriers for many citizens, particularly the elderly, people with disabilities, and students.
The League highlighted that approximately 11% of the national population lacks the required ID, which could prevent eligible voters from exercising their constitutional rights. Although the bill claims to provide free IDs, Kaminsky noted that individuals would need to navigate a complex process to obtain them, often incurring additional costs for transportation and documentation.
The financial implications of the bill were also a focal point of the discussion. The legislative fiscal bureau estimated that implementing the voter ID law would cost the Department of Motor Vehicles $2.3 million annually, not including the potential costs to local governments for training election officials. Kaminsky described the legislation as a "net loss for democracy," arguing that it would not only fail to solve any existing problems but would also impose significant burdens on voters.
During the meeting, committee members engaged in a dialogue about the potential disenfranchisement of voters. Kaminsky explained that disenfranchisement can occur in various ways, including individuals feeling unable to procure necessary documentation or lacking the means to reach polling places. She stressed that any eligible voter who feels they cannot cast their ballot represents a failure of the system.
As the committee continues to deliberate on the bill, the League of Women Voters remains steadfast in its position, urging lawmakers to prioritize the protection of voting rights and to reject any measures that could hinder access to the ballot box. The outcome of this discussion will have lasting implications for Wisconsin's electoral landscape and the rights of its citizens to participate in the democratic process.
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