ACLU Calls on Legislature to Reject Unnecessary and Unfair Photo ID Proposal

February 1, 2005

The Wisconsin Legislature is about to consider an expensive and unnecessary proposal to require all voters to present a photo identification card in order to exercise their right to vote. If the proposal is similar to one introduced in the last legislative session it will make it virtually impossible for thousands of the elderly, the poor and students to vote. Many voters do not have one of the three forms of identification required in last session's bill and would find it very difficult to get even a free photo id from the Wisconsin Department of Transportation. The American Civil Liberties Union calls upon legislators to reject this affront to citizen participation in our democracy.

"The proponents of this provision are clearly out of touch with the problems faced by the elderly and others who don't have the transportation or documentation needed to get an ID. In the real world this new requirement will disenfranchise thousands," said Chris Ahmuty, executive director of the ACLU of Wisconsin.

"No one has established that voters falsely identifying themselves at the polls is a problem in Wisconsin. Any real voter fraud problems are more likely attributable to candidates and their campaign organizations. Likewise, clerical error or other problems due to overworked poll workers is not fraud. Our democracy would work better if legislators helped municipalities adopt better voting systems, rather then blaming the elderly, the poor, and others whose rights are vulnerable," Ahmuty continued.

"Voting is a right that should be made available without onerous obstacles. Many legislators seem to feel that citizens have to prove they are deserving before these legislators will graciously allow citizens to vote," he added.

"The American Civil Liberties Union of Wisconsin calls on all legislators to reject this unfair and uncalled for photo identification proposal," Ahmuty concluded.

The ACLU of Wisconsin is a non-partisan organization with nearly 8,000 members living in Wisconsin. It is the state affiliate of the American Civil Liberties Union, the nation's premier civil liberties organization.

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