MADISON, WI – One of the biggest changes for voters in this summer’s recall and special elections will be that they must now sign their name on the poll list before receiving a ballot, according to the Government Accountability Board.

While the requirement for voters to show a photo ID to receive a ballot does not begin until February 2012, the requirement to sign the poll list starts now, said Kevin J. Kennedy, director and general counsel of the G.A.B.  There is an exception for voters with a physical disability.

“Many states require voters to sign the poll list before they can receive their ballot,” Kennedy said, noting that signing the poll list serves two important purposes.

“In the past, election workers have marked the voter’s name on the poll list with a sequential number to indicate he or she has received a ballot,” Kennedy said.  “However, they occasionally place the number by the wrong name or forget, which can cause problems.  When someone shows up at the polls and finds out he has already been marked as having voted, it raises concerns about election fraud.  However, we have found that most instances are due to clerical errors.  We believe that having voters sign the poll list next to their names will eliminate most of these kinds of errors.”

“The other advantage of having voters sign the poll list is that in the unlikely event someone would attempt to impersonate a voter, law enforcement will now have forensic evidence that could be used to prosecute the offender,” Kennedy said.

Elections Division Administrator Nathaniel E. Robinson noted that while showing a photo ID is optional until February 2012, signing the poll book is now mandatory, unless the voter identifies a disability that prevents them from doing so. “If the voter refuses to sign the poll list, the voter will not be able to vote,” Robinson said.

Under the Voter ID Law, which went into effect on June 10, voters must be asked to show a photo ID when they give their name and address, but will not be required to present a photo ID to receive a ballot until the Spring Primary Election in February 2012.  At any election before then, a voter who does not have a photo ID will receive an informational document explaining the requirements of the new law.
 

MADISON, WI – Wisconsin’s new Voter Photo ID law was put to its first real-world test at Tuesday’s election, and the Government Accountability Board has identified several common questions that arose.

“Overall, the recall and special primary elections went relatively smoothly,” said Elections Division Administrator Nathaniel E. Robinson.  “There are, however, helpful lessons to be learned from the ‘soft implementation’ of the photo ID law.”

Under soft implementation, voters must be asked to show a photo ID, but are not required to do so to receive a ballot until February 2012.  However, one element of the law that took effect immediately is the requirement for voters to sign the poll list.  “If you do not sign the poll list, you will not receive a ballot,” Robinson said.

Here are some of the top issues that arose during Tuesday’s election:

• Questions about whether photo ID is required.  The Board received a few reports of voters waiting in line to vote who left the polling place when they heard from others in line that they needed a photo ID to vote.  A photo ID is not required to vote until February 2012, but the law requires voters to be asked to show an ID for the 2011 Recall and Special Elections.
• Questions about the handout.  Voters who do not have a photo ID must be offered the “Wisconsin New Voter Photo ID Law” handout, but they are not required to take the handout to receive a ballot. The handout is available at http://gab.wi.gov/publications/brochures/voter-id-handout.
• Questions about who must be asked for an ID.  While voters are not required to show a photo ID to obtain a ballot in 2011 elections, election workers must ask every voter for an ID.  That is now the law.  They may not be selective by asking only certain voters for an ID while issuing a ballot to other voters without making the request.  Even if they know the voter, election workers must still ask for ID.
• Questions about the address on a photo ID.  An acceptable photo ID is not required to contain a current residential address, and is not required to match the address on the voter list.  This is because the Wisconsin Department of Transportation does not issue new driver licenses and state ID cards when someone moves.  State law only requires election workers to verify that the photo ID reasonably resembles the voter and the name conforms to the name on the voter list (name variations are allowed).
• Questions about signing the poll list.  Voters are now required to sign the poll list.  This provision of the new law is in effect for the 2011 recall and special elections.  However, a voter is only required to sign one of the two poll lists, and should do so using his or her normal signature.  Election workers are not required to compare the voter’s signature to any other documents.
• Questions about length of residency.  The new law requires 28 consecutive days of residency in a district, a change from 10 days in the old law.  The voter’s sworn statement on the registration form that he or she meets the 28-day requirement shall be presumed to be true unless the inspector or a challenger has first-hand knowledge sufficient to question the certification.
• Questions about proof of residency.  Proof of residency is different than proof of identification (photo ID).  A proof of residency document is required to establish the voter’s address for voter registration, and must be current and valid.  A Photo ID – not proof of one’s residency – is required before a ballot is issued to voters. 
• Questions about in-person absentee voting.  Municipal clerks must make themselves available at least until 5 p.m. on the Friday before the election for both in-person absentee voting and registration.  The photo ID law provides a more condensed window for in-person absentee voting, which begins the third Monday before the election.  Voters have the opportunity to vote an absentee ballot in the municipal clerk’s office at least until 5 p.m. on the Friday before the election.  If the municipal clerk does not have established office hours on Friday, contact information such as the phone number or email address of the municipal clerk must be provided so voters can make contact with the municipal clerk immediately.
• Questions about free state ID cards.  Voters are reminded that in order to get a free state ID card from the Division of Motor Vehicles, they must indicate on the application form that they want the free ID for voting purposes.  We also encourage voters to tell the DMV counter attendant they want a free state ID for voting purpose.  For more information about getting a free ID, visit http://www.dot.wisconsin.gov/drivers/drivers/apply/idcard.htm

Robinson urged voters who have a complaint or question about whether election workers are following the law to submit them through the G.A.B.’s website: http://gab.wi.gov/complaints.

Information sheets explaining the new law are available at every polling place.  Voters who want to educate themselves about the new law should regularly visit the G.A.B.’s website: http://gab.wi.gov/elections-voting/photo-id.

MADISON, WI – Wisconsin’s new Voter Photo ID Law will be put to another test at Tuesday’s recall election, and the Government Accountability Board reminds people who do not yet have a photo ID that they can still vote.

“Until February 2012, we are still in a ‘soft implementation’ period when a photo ID is not required,” said Kevin Kennedy, director and general counsel of the Government Accountability Board.  “However, our Help Desk continues to get calls from people concerned that they can’t vote in the coming recall elections because they don’t have a photo ID.”

Under the new law during soft implementation, voters must be asked for a photo ID before they receive a ballot; however, if they do not have a photo ID they can still vote.  Voters without photo IDs must be given a handout explaining they will need a photo ID to vote beginning in February 2012.  The handout also explains what IDs are acceptable, and how to get a free photo ID for voting purposes.

The handout is available at http://gab.wi.gov/publications/brochures/voter-id-handout.

Elections Division Administrator Nathaniel E. Robinson said the Board is also aware of misinformation being spread about voter registration.  “The new Voter Photo ID Law did not change Election Day Registration,” Robinson said.  “You can still register to vote on Election Day at your polling place.”

Robinson urged anyone with questions about the new Voter Photo ID Law to visit the Board’s website for complete, accurate information: http://gab.wi.gov/elections-voting/photo-id.

The Government Accountability Board encourages all eligible voters to participate in the August 9 and August 16 recall elections.  Voters can check their registration status, find the election date in their area and view their sample ballot at the Voter Public Access website: http://vpa.wi.gov.

Clerks may use these letters to apprise your absentee voters of the ID requirement as it pertains to individual situations. 

Voters who have applied for absentee ballots as indefinitely-confined electors receive the “Indefinitely-Confined Letter.” 

All other voters (except those who are exempt from the requirement --military, overseas or confidential voters) receive the “General Absentee Voter Letter.” 

A list of acceptable photo ID is appended to each letter as a second page so that the list may be copied to the back of each letter.

Prepared Remarks of Kevin J. Kennedy
Director and General Counsel
Wisconsin Government Accountability Board

2011 Senate Bill 381
Presented by G.A.B. Staff Counsel Shane Falk

Wisconsin Senate Committee on Transportation and Elections
The Honorable Mary Lazich, Chairperson

Room 330 Southwest, State Capitol
Thursday, January 19, 2012
10:00 a.m.

Click attachment for full testimony.

If you wish to obtain an ID for voting purposes, but have spiritual beliefs which prevent you from being photographed, you can receive a State ID card without a photo at any Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) office.

MADISON, WI – The Government Accountability Board reminds voters that when they go to the polls on Tuesday, things will be different – they will need to show their photo ID to receive a ballot.

“Voter photo ID is the biggest change to Wisconsin elections since 18-year-olds became eligible to vote in the early 1970s,” said Kevin Kennedy, director and general counsel of the G.A.B. “But voters can avoid problems if they take a few steps to prepare.”

“Most Wisconsin residents already have the ID they need to vote,” Kennedy said. “But if they do not have one of the nine acceptable forms of photo ID, they can get a free state ID card at their local DMV office.” (See the list of acceptable IDs below.)

In addition to bringing their driver license, state issued ID card or other acceptable photo ID to the polling place, voters need to remember simply to “State It, Show It, Sign It.”

“State It” means stating their name and address to the poll workers, Kennedy said.  “This is something Wisconsin voters have always needed to do to vote.  It doesn’t matter if the poll workers know you.”

“Show It” means show your photo ID card. Poll workers will check to make sure you are who you say you are, and that your photo ID is valid for voting, Kennedy said. “The address on your ID does not have to be current, and your name does not have to match your name on the poll list exactly. Your ID is acceptable even if it expired after November 2010,” he said.

“Sign It” means signing the poll book – another new requirement this year. “Having you sign the poll book helps ensure your voter participation records are accurate, and will also provide evidence in case of suspected voter fraud,” Kennedy said.

Tuesday’s Spring Primary Election will be relatively small, with voters in approximately 520 of Wisconsin’s 1,850 cities, villages and towns going to the polls. These primary elections typically have turnouts of less than 10 percent of eligible voters. As a result, the G.A.B. does not anticipate major problems with implementation of the new law at this election. 

“We learned a great deal during soft implementation of the Voter Photo ID Law last summer and fall,” said Nathaniel E. Robinson, elections division administrator for the G.A.B. In those elections, voters were asked for an ID, but were not required to show one. “We have been training local election officials about the changes in the law, and we have been educating and doing outreach to voters across the state.”

In January, the G.A.B. launched its “Bring It to the Ballot” campaign of public service announcements on TV, radio, newspapers, billboards and the Internet. All of the videos and other materials are available on the campaign’s website: http://bringit.wisconsin.gov.  Those who do not have Internet access can call a toll-free number 1-866-VOTE-WIS (1-866-868-3947) for information.

The website contains links to a list of DMV locations and  information about important exceptions in the law, which are not widely understood, for some absentee voters who are indefinitely confined for health reasons or who vote by mail on a consistent basis.

These photo IDs are acceptable for voting purposes, and can be unexpired or expired after the date of the most recent general election (currently, the November 2, 2010 election):

•    A Wisconsin DOT-issued driver license, even if driving privileges are revoked or suspended
•    A Wisconsin DOT-issued identification card
•    A Wisconsin DOT-issued identification card or driver license without a photo issued under the religious exemption
•    Military ID card issued by a U.S. uniformed service
•    A U.S. passport book or card.

These photo IDs are also acceptable for voting purposes, but must be unexpired:

•    A certificate of naturalization that was issued not earlier than two years before the date of an election at which it is presented
•    A driving receipt issued by Wisconsin DOT (valid for 45 days)
•    An identification card receipt issued by Wisconsin DOT (valid for 45 days)
•    An identification card issued by a federally recognized Indian tribe in Wisconsin
•    A photo identification card issued by a Wisconsin accredited university, college or technical college that contains date of issuance, signature of student, and an  expiration date no later than two years after date of issuance.  Also, the university or college ID must be accompanied by a separate document that proves enrollment.
•    A citation or notice of intent to revoke or suspend a Wisconsin DOT-issued driver license that is dated within 60 days of the date of the election.

Voters who do not have one of these acceptable photo IDs can cast a provisional ballot on Election Day. However, for that vote to be counted, a provisional voter must bring back an acceptable photo ID – to either the polling place by 8 p.m. on Election Day, or the municipal clerk’s office by 4 p.m. the Friday after the election.
 

Madison, WI – Government Accountability Board Director Kevin Kennedy issued a statement today regarding Dane County Circuit Court Judge David Flanagan’s order to “cease immediately any effort to enforce or implement the photo identification requirements of 2011 Wisconsin Act 23, pending trial of this case and further order of the court.”

“We will take steps to suspend enforcement and implementation of the photo ID provisions of Act 23. We will communicate with local election officials and the public about the impact of this order. No decision has been made regarding an appeal. We will consult with the Attorney General’s office on this issue.”

“Other key provisions of Act 23 remain in effect: the requirement for 28 consecutive days of residency to vote, the requirement for voters to sign the poll list, and the end of corroboration for voters who do not have proof of residence.”