Wait until we know what the rules are before explaining the rules

If something doesn’t work, try, try again. That seems to be the case in Madison where lawmakers on the budget committee have voted to spend a quarter million dollars helping voters understand the new Voter ID law. It is important that voters know what the rules are before they head to the polls, so there is less confusion at the polling places and to ensure every vote can be counted. The money will fund a public education campaign prior to the fall elections so that people will know exactly what the law says. But that’s the problem. Just what the law says may be changing. While the law currently requires voters show a photo ID before casting a ballot in Wisconsin, two separate lawsuits could change those rules. A nine-day trial before a federal judge in Madison recently concluded, and we expect the results of that decision soon. One possible outcome is that those who lack the proper identification still be allowed to vote if they sign a sworn document. So given that the rules may be changing yet again, it seems unwise to spend $250,000 to tell voters what the law says when the law may be changing before the next election. We’ve been down this road before. When Voter ID first took effect, the state allocated money for a similar public education campaign, but that was put on hold during subsequent court battles. It is important that voters understand just what the rules are when it comes to casting a ballot, but it seems we should wait until we get the final word from the courts before we deliver that message.