Challenge to Wisconsin voter ID law upheld, affidavit can be used to vote

Ruling affects November elections

More changes to Wisconsin’s voter ID law.

A federal judge has ruled that legal affidavits can be signed at the polls in lieu of a driver’s license or other form of state-approved photo IDs needed.

“What this allows is that someone need only sign a sworn affidavit at the polling place saying they are who they say they are, under penalty of perjury, which is a felony, and their vote will count,” Wisconsin Common Cause’s Jay Heck said. “It’s a big victory for people who have had a difficult time trying to get one of the narrow array of photo IDs that are required to vote in Wisconsin.”

State attorney general Brad Schimel, in a statement on the ruling says he’s disappointed but “will decide the next course of action” after his attorneys review the decision.  

Heck fully expects the attorney general to challenge the court’s ruling.

Barring a stay, it would not impact the upcoming August primary but affidavits could be used in November elections.

The ruling, however, isn’t breaking new ground with that requirement.

“This is in place in Michigan,” Heck said. “It has worked very well there for many years, and it’s a very good thing for Wisconsin, because a number of citizens in this state have found it difficut, if not impossible, to get one of the required forms of ID.”

Wisconsin Common Cause is one of the groups that have repeatedly claimed that Wisconsin’s voter ID laws discriminates against the elderly, the poor and minorities, among other groups.

This latest challenge was brought in suit by the ACLU.