Wisconsin: Fee waiver pushed for copies of birth certificates (needed for voter ID)

[Scuba]

http://www.jsonline.com/news/milwaukee/fee-waiver-pushed-for-copies-of-birth-certificates-131023318.html


..snip..

Reacting to a new state law that requires photo identification for voting, some state and local officials are pushing to waive the $20 fee for copies of Milwaukee County birth certificates.

Earlier this year, the Legislature adopted the voter ID law, which says voters must show one of several approved forms of photo identification - such as a driver's license - at the polls, starting next year. For those who don't have a driver's license, lawmakers provided for the state Division of Motor Vehicles to waive fees for state ID cards at a voter's request.

But applicants still need copies of their birth certificates to obtain either driver's licenses or state ID cards. And state law sets fees of $20 for the first copy and $3 for subsequent copies.

That's $60 for a family with one voting-age child "to exercise the constitutional right of voting," state Sen. Spencer Coggs (D-Milwaukee) told a Milwaukee Common Council committee Monday. "That just seems like it's a poll tax."


..end..


Not to mention the cost of transportation to a Red District where the DMV offices remain open and staffed.

[Evasporque]

1. But there will be no voter disenfranchisement...

How many federal lawsuits will be filed after 2012 election....?

[SoCalDem]

10. keywords...."after 2012 election.."

We dems are too predictable. Instead of calling their bluff (the rightwingers), and making it priority #1 to GET our voters the ID they need, we waste valuable time every election cycle trying to litigate their shenanigans.

We know their modus operandi..it's the same thing every election cycle. They plan long term, and we run around hair-on-fire as the minutes tick away, frantically trying to figure out how to overcome their long-planned, meticulously (and legally) executed voter obstruction methods.

Our lawyers make bundles of cash going to court AFTER elections, but when votes were never cast, or counted, what good is a "legal option" years later?

Republican mischief makers probably already have their next round of "fun & games" planned, while we waste millions litigating their last one..

In this day & age, EVERYONE should have a voter ID card..It's just that simple. It should be free for people who cannot afford one. It could be issued by the SS office for all older folks, and by the DMV for younger ones who drive. It should be an automatic part of a high school graduation "package" along with that diploma, and it should be part of the Naturalization process.

It could be like a VISA/Mastercard card, with important data encoded on the strip, and a photo on the front.

Don't want to vote? don't..but for people who do want to vote, just get them the damned ID needed, and after a few fairer election cycles, perhaps Dems will be in office in enough numbers to do things OUR way..

Got an older family member who probably has a drawer-full of sweaters/robes/slippers they get on gift-giving occasions?..Stuff with tags still on, that you'll find when they pass away?

Get them a valid ID, take the time to physically shepherd them through the process..Go in with others to get them a passport, or at the very least a "state ID card".

Every voting cycle we wring out hands and complain about those mean ole republicans are "doing it again"... Call their bluff..

[midnight]

2. Wisconsin should do what Ohio is doing. They gathered signitures to

to repeal the new voter id bills.


"Voters around the Buckeye State are taking to the streets, circulating petitions that would allow a referendum to be held on Ohio House Bill 194,
They need to gather 231,000 signatures by September 29th to stop the bill from going into effect on September 30th. If you live in Ohio, please sign the petition. You can find locations for petition drives here.

"http://crooksandliars.com/karoli/ohio-fights-back-against-voter-id-laws

[Scuba]

3. I'm not sure our Constitution allows such a referendum in Wisconsin. Anyone?

[madrchsod]

4. here`s two from google

http://legis.wisconsin.gov/lrb/gw/gw_13.pdf

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wisconsin_Referendum_1_(2006)

[Scuba]

6. Doesn't sound like we can initiate a binding referendum...

Taken from http://legis.wisconsin.gov/lrb/gw/gw_13.pdf


"Binding referenda are required for
the ratification of amendments to
the state constitution, certain school
district bonding measures, and
proposals to exceed the stateimposed school district revenue
limits. Electors may also compel,
via petition, a referendum vote on
recently enacted city or village
charter ordinances, changing the
location of the county seat, abolishing the office of elected county
executive, creating the position of
appointed county administrator,
incorporating a new city or village,
consolidating two or more adjoining counties, changing the size of a
county board of supervisors, and
annexing adjacent land to a city or
village.


"Unlike many states,
Wisconsin does not provide for a
statewide initiative process."

[madrchsod]

5. i think the feds can get involved since it will be a federal election

[madrchsod]

7. the unions could pitch in and make sure no one is denied....

i know here in illinois they will more than they did in the last election.

[Scuba]

8. They can and will, but shouldn't have to do so. n/t

[MineralMan]

9. It smacks of a poll tax, which has long been declared unconstitutional.

The ACLU needs to litigate this in the federal courts. They should have begun months ago, and maybe they have.