The state Senate today approved along party lines a constitutional amendment that would require voters to show a government-issued ID to cast ballots, the first piece of legislation the chamber passed in the new session.
The amendment, approved 17-15 with Republican Rob Stafsholt absent today, next heads to the Assembly, which plans to take it up Tuesday.
Dem state Sen. Kelda Roys, of Madison, chided her GOP colleagues for rushing to take up the constitutional amendment just weeks after a shooting at a Madison school in her district that left three dead. She argued the Legislature should be focused on issues such as gun violence and rising costs for child care, health care and prescription drugs.
Instead, Roys said, Republicans are focused on adding a restrictive voter ID requirement to the state Constitution that they know has already prevented some Wisconsinites from casting ballots because they lack the proper identification. She argued it was part of a GOP effort to improve their chances at the ballot box.
“We should be making peoples’ lives better and protecting people’s rights. Instead, we’re vandalizing our Constitution and making it more difficult to vote,” Roys said.
But state Sen. Cory Tomczyk, R-Mosinee, dismissed Dem arguments that Republicans are forcing the requirement on the state when it would go to a statewide referendum for final say. He also refuted the suggestion Republicans are trying to shore up their electoral prospects.
“It’s not about a fear of losing. It’s about a fear of making sure that Wisconsinites vote in Wisconsin elections,” Tomczyk said.
Under the amendment, voters would have to show a photo ID issued by Wisconsin, the federal government, a federally recognized Native American tribe, or a college or university in the state. It would call for acceptable forms of ID to be specified by law and allow the Legislature to establish exceptions.
If approved, those unable to present a valid photo ID before voting would be given the opportunity to cast a provisional ballot and present their ID at a later time and place.
Republicans today regularly touted the public’s support for the proposal. The Marquette University Law School Poll last asked Wisconsin voters about a photo ID requirement in August 2021, finding 74% of those surveyed supported it, while 21% were opposed.
Both houses of the Legislature signed off on the amendment last session. If the Assembly approves it Tuesday as expected, it would clear the way for a statewide referendum on the April 1 ballot.
State Sen. LaTonya Johnson, D-Milwaukee, said Republicans were working to get in on the April ballot for the “bonus of turning out more voters on your side.”
The spring election includes a Supreme Court race that will determine ideological control, with liberals now enjoying a 4-3 majority.
Amendment co-sponsor Sen. Van Wanggaard, R-Racine, insisted the amendment push had nothing to do with the election. He said backers simply want to guard against the state Supreme Court from invalidating the requirement that has been in state statute since 2011.
“I am unwilling to let this basic election integrity measure to be overturned by the Wisconsin Supreme Court,” he said.
