Wisconsin Assembly passes GOP-backed voter ID bill

[Judi Lynn]

Source: Reuters

Wisconsin Assembly passes GOP-backed voter ID bill
– 39 mins ago

MADISON, Wisconsin (Reuters) – The Wisconsin state Assembly passed a Republican-backed bill on Wednesday that will stiffen requirements for voter identification at polling places and was decried by Democrats as targeting their constituents.

The Assembly passed the bill by a vote of 60-35 and sent it on to the Senate, which is also controlled by Republicans. Democrats introduced more than 50 amendments, all of which failed.

The measure was expected to further split the partisan divisions in the state after the recent bruising battle over newly elected Republican governor Scott Walker's successful campaign to weaken public sector union bargaining rights.

Democrats said the new measure, which will require voters to show an approved photo ID before receiving their ballot, was aimed at discouraging many of their constituents, especially college students, rather than addressing vote fraud, which they said was not a serious problem in the state.



Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20110512/pl_nm/us_wisconsin_voter_id

[sakabatou]

1. Can someone say possible disenfranchisement?

[FBaggins]

2. Why would it discourage college students?

I understand the presumed impact on the poor and some minorities, but why would college students be discouraged by an ID requirement (particularly "especially" discouraged)?

[Judi Lynn]

3. According to the article:

-snip-
Student IDs are allowed but will need a current address, birth date, signature and expiration date.

No college ID used in the state, including the University of Wisconsin campus in Madison, now meets those standards, opponents said. They also argued that the new rules will cost millions of dollars to implement.

[jwirr]

4. They are underestimating the students. Most students will be pissed

at the added inconvenience but anger will merely make them vote more. As to the cost - the state should be forced to provide free ID cards to all recipients of government aid updated as much as needed. Because this has been passed now it gives us enough time to start working to make sure it does not impact 2012. I understand that it will not go into effect soon enough to hurt the recall elections.

This bill also needs to be taken to court - all the way to the top if necessary.

[murielm99]

6. Get a restraining order to prevent the law from going

into effect.

Take them to court to make them issue free ID cards to any registered voter who requests one.

Stop it on the grounds that anyone who has to pay for an ID is being assessed a poll tax, which is unconstitutional.

Maybe you, or someone else has some other ideas to stall this travesty of a law.

[jwirr]

7. That is very good. Better than my understanding. I just know that

they are underestimating students. It is their life these people want to destroy. Students are not going to stand for that.

[BadgerKid]

5. Nothing said about using multiple IDs,

proof of residency via tuition bill or university housing contract.