Wisconsin Voter Protection Act Marie King Act 23

Wisconsin Voter Protection Act Marie King

Act 23 § In 2011, Wisconsin enacted Act 23, which requires all voters to show a current and valid Wisconsin or Federal government-issued photo ID at the polls and to provide a copy of such ID when casting an absentee ballot. ****Act 23 has been enjoined as a result of litigation challenging Act 23’s legality, and the photo ID requirements are NOT currently in effect. ***

Wisconsin Voter Protection Act passes through Joint Finance Committee April 2012 A Wisconsin Voter Protection Act passed through the Joint Finance Committee and will move on to the full legislature. § Representative Jeff Smith says the act will increase election accessibility and efficiency. The bill will also help military personnel vote and stop voter intimidation and suppression. Smith says everything in the Wisconsin Voter Protection Act has either been introduced as a separate legislation or been previously presented to Elections and Campaign Reform Committee members as a way to improve Wisconsin elections.

Premise • This is a bipartisan approach with a non-partisan goal -- a strengthened democracy with even more participation by the people of Wisconsin. • This needed legislation will increase participation and increase the security of ballots and the integrity of elections. • This legislation ensures the men and women of the armed services who protect our freedom know their votes will be counted. • The legislation makes sure that the people's voice is central at the ballot box.

Who may register to vote? § § To vote in Wisconsin, a person must be: A citizen of the United States; At least 18 years of age on or before Election Day; and A resident of Wisconsin who has resided in an election district or ward for at least 28 continuous days before Election Day. § (If a person moves to Wisconsin less than 28 days before Election Day, and is otherwise qualified to vote, he or she is entitled to vote for President and Vice President only (but for no other offices).

The following persons are disqualified from voting in Wisconsin: § A person convicted of treason, a felony, or bribery is disqualified from voting until they have completed their sentence (e. g. their term of imprisonment or probation) for their disqualifying crime. ; § A person adjudicated in Wisconsin as incompetent or placed under guardianship, unless a court has determined that the person is competent to exercise the right to vote; § A person who has made or become interested, directly or indirectly, in any bet or wager depending upon the result of the election.

September 2010 § Wisconsin Now revealed an alleged voter suppression plot designed to disenfranchise minorities, students, and others in heavily-Democratic areas of the state. At the center of this apparent “voter caging” operation, the Wisconsin chapter of Koch-funded Americans for Prosperity. While the allegations of potentially illegal conduct leveled against Americans for Prosperity, the Wisconsin Republican Party, and other tea party groups are extremely serious, a Think. Progress investigation reveals an even larger and more insidious effort by Koch -backed groups to tamper with the democratic process.

March 2012 § Dane County Circuit Court Judge found the Wisconsin voter ID law unconstitutional. The case, brought by the League of Women Voters of Wisconsin, is a big win for all Wisconsin voters. “Voting is not like cashing a check or getting on an airplane. Those activities are not protected by the constitution. Voting is one way in which all citizens are equal, and that is worth fighting for, " Melanie Ramey, state president

What identification is required at the polling place? § *** Wisconsin’s Photo ID Law is currently NOT in effect due to several pending lawsuits. As of October 5, 2012, for 2012 elections § REGISTERED VOTERS DO NOT NEED A PHOTO ID TO VOTE.

Works Cited § http: //www. wiafscme. org/index. cfm? action=article&article ID=52871 e 66 -f 862 -4453 -8060 -e 51 b 80 be 3390 § http: //www. weau. com/home/headlines/90164607. html § http: //thinkprogress. org/economy/2010/09/22/120361/ko ch-voter-suppression/ § http: //b. 3 cdn. net/advancement/eec 685 e 8 d 85 d 491588_b zm 6 votqy. pdf § http: //www. lwv. org/blog/big-win-wisconsin-voters