New year brings voter changes
JANESVILLE — Voting in Wisconsin changes drastically this year. A new state law means restrictions and requirements that voters have never seen before.
"Nine out of 10 voters are going to be just fine," when it comes to the new law that requires a photo ID at the polls, said Rock County Clerk Lori Stottler. "Most people will show up and flash a driver's license or flash a passport."
But studies nationwide have shown that as many as 11 percent of eligible voters do not have a government-issued photo ID, according to the Brennan Center for Justice.
Percentages are higher among seniors, people of color, those with disabilities or with low incomes and students.
So you might want to double-check now to make sure you have what you need under Wisconsin's new requirements for voter-ID, registration and absentee voting.
And voting starts soon with the spring primary Feb. 21. The spring nonpartisan local elections are April 3, and the state's presidential preference primary has been moved—it also will be April 3.
The fall primary used to be in September, but this year it's Aug. 14. The fall Election Day is Nov. 6.
Recall elections also are possible, for the offices of governor and lieutenant governor, Stottler said.
Your ID
Registered voters now must bring proof of identity to the polls and sign the poll book.
The most commonly used IDs will be a Wisconsin driver license, a state ID card or a United States military ID card or passport, Stottler said.
These four IDs are valid even if they expired after the most recent general election, which was Nov. 2, 2010. Note the word "after."
Four other kinds of photo ID also are acceptable if they have not expired: a certificate of naturalization, a receipt for a driver's license or state ID card issued by the state Department of Motor Vehicles, an ID issued by a federally recognized Wisconsin Indian tribe, or a photo ID issued by a Wisconsin university or college that meets certain requirements and is accompanied by proof of enrollment.
Many Wisconsin colleges and universities are issuing special student ID cards that comply with the new law. A few colleges are modifying existing student ID cards.
Students should check with their school to make sure their ID qualifies, Stottler said.
Photo IDs do not need to include a current address.
"Also, the name on your photo ID does not have to match your name on the poll list exactly, so Jim is perfectly acceptable for James, Sue for Susan, etc.," Stottler said.
Those with no state driver's license or state ID card can apply for a free state ID card from the local Division of Motor Vehicles office.
Registration
Considering that the polling process might be slower as officials and voters adjust to the new rules, getting registered in advance is a good idea, said Dave Godek, deputy clerk/treasurer for the city of Janesville.
If you register more than 20 days before an election, you do not have to show proof of residence. This is because there would be enough time for clerks to check your information on their databases, Stottler said.
You must live at your address for 28 consecutive days to be eligible to vote. Ten days was the previous cutoff.
Check with your municipal clerk for registration requirements.
Absentee voting
Voters must present a photo ID for in-person absentee voting at their clerk's office.
The period for in-person absentee voting has been shortened. It now begins the third Monday before the election and ends at 5 p.m. or at the close of business, whichever is later, the Friday before the election.
Previously, in-person absentee voting could occur until 5 p.m. the Monday before.
Mail-in absentee voters must provide a photocopy of their photo ID card with their absentee ballot request.
Voters who fax or email their municipal clerk to request an absentee ballot can return a photocopy of their photo ID with their completed ballot, but only for the February election.
After the Feb. 21 election, only military and overseas voters can request and receive ballots via email or fax.
Additionally, 2012 is the start of the new redistricting boundaries that could affect where you vote and for whom you vote.
New maps will be published, or visit vpa.wi.gov.
Stottler said even those who come prepared to vote might be slowed down by someone ahead of them in line who did not prepare.
"We are doing all we can to make it an enjoyable experience to do your civic duty and participate in democracy," Stottler said. "I'm doing all I can to make that happen, but it still is not going to be without its minor pains."
To learn more
For more information on how new state voting laws affect you:
-- Contact your local municipal clerk's office.
-- Contact your county clerk's office. In Rock County, call (608) 757-5660 or visit www.co.rock.wi.us/countyclerk. In Walworth County, call (262) 741-4241 or visit click here.
-- Visit the Government Accountability Board's s Voter ID website at http://gab.wi.gov, and click "Voter Photo ID."
-- Click here for information on getting a state ID card.
Jan 7, 2012 at 3:35 p.m.
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Getting Voter ID is no more difficult than getting a marriage license...
Here are the requirements for Rock County license....and there is a $90.00 FEE. (In some cases, that might turn out to be a "pole cat" tax, as opposed to a "poll tax", which some contend Voter ID does).
MARRIAGE LICENSE INFORMATION
When you come to the County Clerk’s office to apply for a license, please bring the following:
ACCEPTABLE
1) A certified birth certificate with a raised seal in the paper is acceptable;
Wisconsin Certified Birth Certificates can be obtained at the County Register of Deeds office or the office of State Vital Records. If you were not born in Wisconsin, we can supply you with a telephone number and address to obtain a birth record.
2) A driver's license or photo ID with your current address for identification;
3) A Social Security Card / or another card that has your Social Security number printed on it such as a Health Insurance Card.
NO BLOOD TESTS ARE REQUIRED
BIRTH RECORDS - NOT ACCEPTABLE
*A baptismal record
*Hospital birth certificate with gold seal
*Notification of Birth Registration
Prior Marriage
If you have been married before and the separation from a former spouse is due to divorce, you must present a signed copy of the Divorce Judgment. Wisconsin Law requires that you be divorced 6 months in order to apply for a license to re-marry in Wisconsin and it makes no difference where the divorce occurred. If you have been married before and the separation from a former spouse is due to death, you must present a certified copy of the Death Certificate.
License Fee
The marriage license effective January 1, 2007 is $90.00. It is paid at the time you apply for your marriage license. The Clerk’s office will accept cash or check, however, we will not accept a check from an out-of-state resident and would require cash payment. The Rock County Clerk’s office does not have the ability to process credit/debit cards.
The marriage license is valid for 30 days from the date of application. There is a five-day waiting period following the date of application which means that you must apply for your license at least 6 days prior to the date of the wedding to meet the requirements of state law. We recommend that you come in no later than one week prior to the wedding and no more than one month ahead of the wedding.
http://www.co.rock.wi.us/images/web_docu...
Jan 7, 2012 at 10:26 a.m.
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This means for the legit voter, theirs will count that much more... without all the illegals, dead people...lol. They should meke people take a short competency test, we also need to keep the idiots from voting and also the sheep that vote for someone just because someone else told them to.
Jan 7, 2012 at 9:31 a.m.
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If you don't like PROVING who you are then don't vote!!
If you don't have an ID by now you are an idiot. The agruement "I can afford it is stupid as well" Is is even $20?
You should have ID- pretty simple.
Jan 7, 2012 at 9:07 a.m.
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This meesage brought to you by the Walker company.
Jan 6, 2012 at 9:43 p.m.
Jan 6, 2012 at 9:15 p.m.
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ahh yes, the conservative voter fraud fantasy crowd. How's the kool-aid? Tasty?
Jan 6, 2012 at 9:03 p.m.
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fedup, It will also make it difficult for busloads of campaign volunteers or unionistas from out of state who have set up shop in Milwaukee to vote. But we wouldn't want to disenfranchise them now would we?
Jan 6, 2012 at 5:29 p.m.
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But studies nationwide have shown that as many as 11 percent of eligible voters do not have a government-issued photo ID, according to the Brennan Center for Justice. Big deal - what is the Wisconsin number. That is all that matters here.
.
The real problem here is that this will make it more difficult for illegal immigrants, incarcerated criminals and dead people to vote.
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