Madison – In its first legislative act of the 2025-2026 session, today the State Assembly approved along party lines a constitutional amendment requiring a photo ID to vote. This is in spite of the fact that Republicans nationwide ran on lowering the cost of living for average Americans and that Wisconsin already has a voter ID law on the books and in effect. Following the floor session, Rep. Amaad Rivera-Wagner (D-Green Bay) made this statement:
“It is disappointing that, during our first session in the Assembly, we are focusing on an issue that is already law to play political games. Meanwhile, throughout every district, Wisconsinites have made it clear they want us to prioritize addressing the rising costs of housing, childcare, healthcare, and how we fund our public schools. In Green Bay, I hear from residents that our Legislature should focusing on taking action that improve people lives and avoid playing politics—yet this vote is the complete opposite of that,” said Rivera-Wagner.
“Ensuring we protect our democracy is very important, that I why I support legislation that has bi-partisan support like the processing of absentee ballots before election day resulting in earlier results that helps to combat misinformation, or holding false electors accountable for trying to overturn the will of the voters,” Rivera-Wagner added.
State law already requires voters show photo identification before casting a ballot. A proposed constitutional amendment must be approved by consecutive sessions of the State Legislature and then approved by voters in a statewide referendum. Republicans pushed the measure through so quickly in order to get the referendum on the ballot for the spring election, when a critical State Supreme Court race will be contested.