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As I See It

Just take their word for it at the polls?

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Wisconsin just can’t seem to settle on whether voters should have to show a photo ID before being allowed to vote. The legislature approved a voter ID law back in 2011, but largely because of legal challenges, it didn’t take effect until the recent spring election. Now the issue of voter ID is back in the courts, after a three-judge federal appellate panel sent the issue back to a judge to decide whether the law should apply to those who have a hard time getting a photo ID. It is rare, but we have heard stories of some, even those who proudly served their country’s military, being turned away from the polls for a lack of proper ID. Now, Wisconsin’s Attorney General thinks he may have a solution that would allow voter ID to be the law of the land in Wisconsin, but still allow some who lack proper ID to vote in Wisconsin elections. Attorney General Brad Schimel says Wisconsin may adopt a plan being used in Indiana that allows those who face difficulties getting a proper ID to vote by signing an affidavit exempting them from the requirement. But if the entire notion of requiring a photo ID to vote is based on attempts to curtail voter fraud, is just taking their word for it really the best idea? Wouldn’t those tempted to conduct fraud at the polls find it pretty easy to do so by just claiming they can’t get proper identification? And doesn’t allowing some people to vote without an ID really dispel the notion that this whole thing is really about reducing voter fraud?

Scott Robert Shaw serves as WIZM Program Director and News Director, and delivers the morning news on WKTY, Z-93 and 95.7 The Rock. Scott has been at Mid-West Family La Crosse since 1989, and authors Wisconsin's only daily radio editorial, "As I See It" heard on WIZM each weekday morning and afternoon.

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