WISCONSIN (OnFocus) – On April 1, Wisconsin voters will have the opportunity to choose “yes” or “no” on a State Voter ID referendum.
The referendum question is stated as: “Photographic identification for voting. Shall section 1m of article III of the constitution be created to require that voters present valid photographic identification verifying their identity in order to vote in any election, subject to exceptions which may be established by law?”
Not sure how to vote? We’ll break it down…You’ll choose either “Yes” (supporting the amendment) or “No” (opposing it).
if you want stricter voter ID rules in Wisconsin, you should vote “Yes” on this referendum. A “Yes” vote would amend the state constitution to permanently require voters to present valid photographic identification to vote in all elections, making it tougher to loosen those rules in the future without another constitutional change. It’s a step toward locking in and strengthening the current photo ID system, even though exceptions could still be defined by law. If that aligns with your view on election security, “Yes” is your pick.
A “No” vote on the referendum means you’re against adding a permanent photo ID requirement to the Wisconsin Constitution. If “No” wins, the current voter ID law (from Act 23 in 2011) stays in place as a statute, but it wouldn’t be cemented into the constitution. This keeps things as they are—voters still need photo ID under existing rules—but leaves the door open for the legislature or courts to modify or even eliminate that requirement down the road without needing a statewide vote to amend the constitution. Essentially, “No” preserves flexibility and avoids making voter ID a constitutional mandate, which could appeal to you if you think the current system is strict enough or if you’re worried about access barriers for some voters.
What It Does
Current Law: Wisconsin already requires photo ID to vote under a 2011 law (Act 23), upheld by courts but with exceptions (e.g., absentee voting tweaks during COVID-19). However, this requirement isn’t in the state constitution—it’s statutory, meaning the legislature or courts can change it.
Proposed Change: A “Yes” vote would enshrine the photo ID requirement in Article III of the Wisconsin Constitution, which governs suffrage (voting rights). This makes it permanent unless another referendum or constitutional amendment reverses it—harder to alter than a regular law.
Scope: It applies to “any election” (state, local, primaries, generals), not just some.
Exceptions Clause: The phrase “subject to exceptions which may be established by law” means the legislature could still define specific cases where photo ID isn’t needed (e.g., for voters with religious objections, disabilities, or no ID access), but the core requirement would stand unless explicitly exempted.
Why It’s on the Ballot
Background: This stems from a 2024 legislative push by Republican lawmakers, who argue photo ID ensures election integrity, citing fraud concerns. It passed as Assembly Joint Resolution 8 and Senate Joint Resolution 8, meeting the threshold to go to voters.
Context: Wisconsin’s voter ID law faced legal battles since 2011—struck down, then reinstated by 2016. Putting it in the constitution aims to shield it from future court challenges or Democratic efforts to loosen voting rules, especially after close elections.
Arguments For and Against
Yes (Proponents): Backed by conservatives like Senator Ron Johnson and groups like Wisconsin Family Action. They say it prevents fraud, aligns with 35 other states’ ID laws, and mirrors everyday ID use (e.g., boarding planes). A 2022 Marquette poll showed 85% of Wisconsin voters support some ID requirement.
No (Opponents): Supported by Democrats, voting rights groups (e.g., League of Women Voters), and figures like Governor Tony Evers (who vetoed similar bills). They argue it suppresses turnout—especially among low-income, elderly, and minority voters (per a 2017 UW study, 11% of non-voters lacked ID)—and that fraud is negligible, making it a solution to a non-issue.
Practical Impact
If Yes Wins: Photo ID becomes a constitutional mandate. Current acceptable IDs (driver’s licenses, passports, student IDs with strict rules) would likely stay, but any rollback (e.g., accepting affidavits instead) would need legislative carve-outs, not just court rulings.
If No Wins: The status quo remains—photo ID stays a statute, not a constitutional rule, leaving it open to future legislative or judicial changes (e.g., Evers’ push for automatic registration).
Ask yourself: Do you see photo ID as a safeguard for trust in elections, or a barrier to access, given Wisconsin’s 3.2 million registered voters and tight races?
In short, a “Yes” locks in photo ID as a voting prerequisite with some flexibility for exceptions; a “No” keeps it a law but not a constitutional fixture. Your vote shapes how hard or easy it is to cast a ballot in Wisconsin going forward.
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Author: News Desk
This piece was posted by our news team! Contact us or submit stories at news@onfocus.news.
