MADISON, Wis. — Wisconsin Republicans are moving quickly to get a measure in front of voters that would reinforce the state’s voter photo ID requirements.
It’s the first proposal being considered by lawmakers in a new legislative session, and a hearing held Tuesday prompted backlash from Democrats who argued their efforts should be focused on more important issues.
“I’m irritated,” Democratic Sen. LaTonya Johnson said. “You felt that this was the most important issue – to bring us here a day after we were sworn in – that voter ID is the most important issue we have in this entire state.”
Voters in Wisconsin are already required to present a photo ID at the polls. The proposed constitutional amendment would protect existing voter photo ID requirements by placing them in the Wisconsin Constitution. That would make it more difficult for future lawmakers or courts to overturn the requirements.
Republicans who control the Legislature want to put the measure on the ballot in the statewide April election, when control of the Wisconsin Supreme Court is once again up for grabs.
“The only way to ensure our future Supreme Court will not overturn voter ID is to enshrine this basic election integrity law in Wisconsin’s constitution,” Republican Sen. Van Wanggaard, the measure’s sponsor in the Senate, said.
Watch: Wisconsin Republicans rush to pass voter ID amendment
Liberals took control of the state Supreme Court in 2023 for the first time in more than 15 years. The new majority has since made several significant rulings in favor of Democrats, and consequential cases on abortion rights and separation of powers are pending before the court.
“Instead of following the law, they’re just making it up as they go along. This will make it a little more difficult for that to happen,” Wanggaard said.
Democrats and voting rights advocates alleged that the voter photo ID requirements make it harder for low-income voters and voters with disabilities to cast their ballots, since they may not have an ID or the ability to conveniently obtain one.
“Why would you continue to move the goalpost and make it harder for people to vote?” Nick Ramos, executive director of the watchdog group Wisconsin Democracy Campaign, asked.
Republican Rep. Pat Snyder, the measure’s sponsor in the Assembly, argued that accuracy and accountability matter more than convenience.
“It’s the right of the people to vote, but it’s not a fast-food drive thru to vote,” he said.
The Senate Judiciary and Public Safety Committee approved the measure on Tuesday in a vote along party lines, sending it to the full Senate, where a vote was scheduled for Wednesday.
The Assembly plans to take up the measure next week.
The measure received a first round of approval in the last legislative session. Constitutional amendments must be passed twice by the Legislature before going to voters. The governor cannot veto a constitutional amendment.
The Legislature must send the proposed amendment to the Wisconsin Elections Commission by Jan. 21 for it to appear on the April ballot.
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