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AllyCat

(15,987 posts)
Tue Oct 7, 2014, 02:38 PM Oct 2014

My elderly father will lose the right to vote in Wisconsin because of voter ID

My dad doesn't post here, but wanted me to relay his weeklong struggle to exercise his right to vote in Wisconsin.

He moved here from another state a few months ago and easily registered his car here, but was told that he could wait to renew his drivers license until it expired next year. He's on a very limited income so this appealed to him.

Then voter ID went through. He went to the city clerk to make sure he could still vote like he did in the Spring election, but was told he needed a Wisconsin ID. He gathered his SS card and the certified birth certificate from his non-WI birth state. It was fine to get a passport.

So last week he went to the "express" DMV 30 minutes from his home. They were apparently closed, even though he was there during business hours. He went back on Monday. Handwritten sign saying they were closed.

He went back today and was told he could not get a WI Drivers license there but had to go to the "big" DMV twenty minutes northeast.

So he drove there. And waited in another long line. He was told at the counter that they could not accept a certified copy of his birth certificate. It had to be original. He was born 1000 miles from here.

He was certain he had the original. Went all the way back home, found his original birth certificate from the 1930s. Drove back to the DMV. He was told that was a "hospital" original, not a state original. They would not give him a drivers license. They gave him the address if the records department in his birth state but it is unlikely he will get the certificate in time to be able to vote in Wisconsin.

This is an elderly man in good health with a car and time to drive to the DMV four times in a week. He lives here now and has already voted in Wisconsin. He has honorably served his country in our military. He has lived in the US and voted here in various states as he has moved a few times in his 8 decades.

And the GOP has denied him his right to vote next month.

38 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
My elderly father will lose the right to vote in Wisconsin because of voter ID (Original Post) AllyCat Oct 2014 OP
When are we going to start chucking all the criminal GOPers in prison? Dont call me Shirley Oct 2014 #1
We keep trying DCMS, but they keep buying the judges AllyCat Oct 2014 #2
You're not referring to Gableman, Prosser, Scalia and Roberts are you? Patience? Scuba Oct 2014 #3
That's a short list there Scuba. AllyCat Oct 2014 #5
And won't allow Prez Obama to appoint any Dont call me Shirley Oct 2014 #4
That's Harry Reid's fault. Scuba Oct 2014 #6
Grrrr....That was so angering when he refused to alter the filibuster to actually force Dont call me Shirley Oct 2014 #11
My question too. These people belong in prison for very serious crimes. Hortensis Oct 2014 #7
This is a question I ask myself daily n/t MBS Oct 2014 #16
Call every news place in WI until someone will listen and put our your story marlakay Oct 2014 #8
He plans to write the local fish wrap. AllyCat Oct 2014 #12
What I was going to say. SheilaT Oct 2014 #18
Who the fuck has their original birth certificate? ellie Oct 2014 #9
Mine was stolen years ago. AllyCat Oct 2014 #13
No one holds their original birth certificate. Thor_MN Oct 2014 #22
^that^. (N/t) Lefta Dissenter Oct 2014 #33
Happy Day to Lefta! AllyCat Oct 2014 #34
At best, the vast majority of state agencies have had their budgets become stagnant. Half-Century Man Oct 2014 #10
Original birth certificates are not available to anyone. The state retains them permanently and kestrel91316 Oct 2014 #14
If he has a passport, he should be good to go. kath Oct 2014 #15
thanks for giving out this info- MBS Oct 2014 #17
Passport also expired. But I will check AllyCat Oct 2014 #20
Walker is a total prick. SmittynMo Oct 2014 #19
You might find answers here: snacker Oct 2014 #21
That site is quite helpful. OP, note this part especially: kath Oct 2014 #24
What they have done is make the condition such that you can hold a DL or a voter ID, not both AllyCat Oct 2014 #35
I think the Passport will work. kairos12 Oct 2014 #23
Actually, it probably won't work, since the OP says it is expired. kath Oct 2014 #25
It probably varies from state to state. Laffy Kat Oct 2014 #26
He needs to ALERT THE MEDIA.... MADem Oct 2014 #27
If kcks Oct 2014 #28
This BS is so completely... 3catwoman3 Oct 2014 #29
Contact state and federal reps and senators, elleng Oct 2014 #30
THIS should be on the front page! Mister Nightowl Oct 2014 #31
Call in to Kathleen Dunn's show tomorrow on voting (WPR) dragonlady Oct 2014 #32
Thank you. I will ask him to do that. AllyCat Oct 2014 #36
Stories like these are Jamaal510 Oct 2014 #37
Contact the Brennan Center... brooklynite Oct 2014 #38
 

Scuba

(53,475 posts)
3. You're not referring to Gableman, Prosser, Scalia and Roberts are you? Patience?
Tue Oct 7, 2014, 02:54 PM
Oct 2014

Or the whole lot of 'em?

AllyCat

(15,987 posts)
5. That's a short list there Scuba.
Tue Oct 7, 2014, 02:55 PM
Oct 2014

What about Randa? And the panel of Repub picks that let this beast through.

Dont call me Shirley

(10,998 posts)
11. Grrrr....That was so angering when he refused to alter the filibuster to actually force
Tue Oct 7, 2014, 03:11 PM
Oct 2014

the obstructionists to blab their whining asses on the Senate floor!

Tom Udall tried to get a filibuster rewrite through, but Harry failed all of us.

marlakay

(11,349 posts)
8. Call every news place in WI until someone will listen and put our your story
Tue Oct 7, 2014, 03:06 PM
Oct 2014

If this happened to my mom who is 86 I would be livid. I am sure like her each one of those trips was not a easy just jump in the car like the rest of us.

To me this is pure elder abuse, and goes even beyond the voting issue.

In Seattle they have a guy on King 5 I think his name is Jesse that you can call with problems and they try to fix it and show story online. There must be some station in WI that does something similar.

 

SheilaT

(23,156 posts)
18. What I was going to say.
Tue Oct 7, 2014, 04:57 PM
Oct 2014

Don't let him just write his one local newspaper. Phone every major newspaper in the state on his behalf. Also contact his Representative, even if that person is a Republican asshole. And make sure every reporter you contact knows you've also contacted the Rep.

Stories like this need very wide publicity.

AllyCat

(15,987 posts)
13. Mine was stolen years ago.
Tue Oct 7, 2014, 03:14 PM
Oct 2014

All I can get is a certified copy. And what does anyone do who has changed their name?

 

Thor_MN

(11,843 posts)
22. No one holds their original birth certificate.
Tue Oct 7, 2014, 09:10 PM
Oct 2014

What they have is a certified copy and the OP's father was given a line of utter bullshit. The original certificate is held by the state and no one can obtain their "original" birth certificate.

Half-Century Man

(5,279 posts)
10. At best, the vast majority of state agencies have had their budgets become stagnant.
Tue Oct 7, 2014, 03:09 PM
Oct 2014

Last edited Tue Oct 7, 2014, 03:39 PM - Edit history (1)

A fairly significant amount of them have lost funds (the DMV among them).

I doubt this is accidental.

The budget for operating polling places does not now have, nor is any set aside for, extra funding planned to handle the increased load that will be caused by the ID law. As per plan; Not only are the persons without ID targeted, but people with IDs are sure to have long wait times. Voting this year will require patience and dedication. All in an effort to suppress voting.


On Edit: more here
http://bloggingblue.com/2014/08/voter-suppression-in-wisconsin/

 

kestrel91316

(51,666 posts)
14. Original birth certificates are not available to anyone. The state retains them permanently and
Tue Oct 7, 2014, 04:03 PM
Oct 2014

provides certified copies only, which are legally equivalent to the original. They are valid in any court in the nation.

This doesn't pass the smell test. Get the media involved, and hire an attorney.

kath

(10,565 posts)
15. If he has a passport, he should be good to go.
Tue Oct 7, 2014, 04:21 PM
Oct 2014

Here is the info straight from the WI DMV's website:
http://www.dot.wisconsin.gov/drivers/docs/bds316-english.pdf

take his passport, driver's license from previous state ( even if it is now expired), military discharge papers if he has them (good to have - when he passes away, family can get some breaks on funeral costs if he is a veteran)

A passport is pretty much the gold standard in terms of proving identity and citizenship.

On edit -- per the website, also need to have proof of his SS number.

AllyCat

(15,987 posts)
20. Passport also expired. But I will check
Tue Oct 7, 2014, 05:29 PM
Oct 2014

Even if it helps, how many voters without ID in Wisconsin have passports?

kath

(10,565 posts)
24. That site is quite helpful. OP, note this part especially:
Tue Oct 7, 2014, 09:45 PM
Oct 2014

"ID Card applicants must be U.S. Citizens, at least 17 years of age, and indicate that the ID card is required free of charge for the purposes of voting; and
ID Card applicants must claim that documents required to prove U.S. Citizenship, name and date of birth and/or legal name change are unavailable and require a fee to a government agency to obtain."

Specify that he would have to pay a fee to get a certified copy of his birth certificate, and bring the other documents they specify.
Hope that will be enough. And note that he should be able to get the voter ID for FREE.

Fuck the goddam Repblicans for putting people through this bullshit!

On edit, might as well bring the expired passport anyway, just to add one more piece of info to the pile.

And another edit - under the situation in the part I quoted above ( would require fee to get birth certif), it looks like he will be able to get a voter ID ( not a driver's license) if he fillsout the Unavailable Documentation Form and shows his DL from another state (valid or expired 8 yrs or less) or military discharge papers for the "Proof of Identity" requirement.

Also will need a utility bill, account statement or somesuch to show current WI address for the "Proof of WI Residency" requirement . see the site linked by the poster above.

AllyCat

(15,987 posts)
35. What they have done is make the condition such that you can hold a DL or a voter ID, not both
Wed Oct 8, 2014, 01:41 AM
Oct 2014

So if he wants an ID to vote, he has to forfeit his out-of-state DL, making it illegal to drive a car. He can get the free ID if he is willing to give up the right to drive his car.

kath

(10,565 posts)
25. Actually, it probably won't work, since the OP says it is expired.
Tue Oct 7, 2014, 09:48 PM
Oct 2014

That little detail is bullshit, since clearly he had to provide detailed documentation in order to get the passport in the FIRST place. Shouldn't matter if it is expired.

One thing to note - if any document expired AFTER Nov. 7 2012, then it still can be used.

Laffy Kat

(16,330 posts)
26. It probably varies from state to state.
Tue Oct 7, 2014, 09:55 PM
Oct 2014

But the Colorado DMV wouldn't accept my Passport in lieu of a birth certificate. It wasn't for vote reg., I think it was for renewing my DL, but it was a long time ago. I remember having to go back three friggin' times.

MADem

(135,425 posts)
27. He needs to ALERT THE MEDIA....
Tue Oct 7, 2014, 09:57 PM
Oct 2014

Can he give a good interview? Does he have a certain charm and joie de vivre? He should call a news producer and charm the living shit out of them--come off as engaged, convivial, and elderly.

He needs to start calling TV stations until someone will come and interview him. Give 'em a time limit, and then say he's going on to the next candidate.

He should conceal his party affiliation if possible--always better to appeal to both sides of the street.

dragonlady

(3,577 posts)
32. Call in to Kathleen Dunn's show tomorrow on voting (WPR)
Wed Oct 8, 2014, 12:31 AM
Oct 2014

01:00 PM - The Kathleen Dunn Show - Everything You Need To Know - To Vote:
With all of the confusion about Voting, Voter ID, Absentee Ballots - this hour Kathleen welcomes three guests who will give you everything you need to know in order to cast your vote in the upcoming Nov. 4th election. Guests: Chris Ahmuty, Kevin Kennedy, Neil V. Albrecht

Jamaal510

(10,893 posts)
37. Stories like these are
Wed Oct 8, 2014, 02:17 AM
Oct 2014

what keep me motivated to vote in every election. How dare the GOP deny people a basic Constitutional right! I hope Karma comes back to bite them in the you-know-what. Their party deserves to become irrelevant after all the shady stuff they've done over the decades.

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