ACLU of Wisconsin Files Suit Against Voter ID

Voter ID goes into effect in Wisconsin in February, but the ACLU of Wisconsin says not so fast. The organization has filed a suit in federal court saying the law violates citizens' rights and the U.S. Constitution.

Alleging the new law is a kind of poll tax and creates inequality because of the documents required to get a photo ID, the ACLU filed the suit with the National Law Center on Homelessness & Poverty and lists among the plaintiffs senior citizens, minorities and the homeless. Governor Scott Walker and the Government Accountability Board were named in the suit.

Cullen Werwie, spokesperson for the Governor responded:

"The common sense election reforms signed into law earlier this year by Governor Walker are constitutional. Requiring photo identification to vote helps ensure the integrity of our elections—we already require it to get a library card, cold medicine, and public assistance. At least 15 other states have enacted photo ID requirements to vote. Photo ID requirements have been passed around the country and upheld by federal courts, including the U.S. Supreme Court."

This is the second suit filed objecting to the Voter ID law. In October, the saying the law essentially creates another class of citizen - one who cannot vote - and that is unconstitutional.

To vote, citizens must show a government issued or approved photo identification like a driver's license, state, military, tribal or college ID, passport, or a naturalization certificate. Residents can get a free ID if they have the proper paperwork or an expired ID. Click from the state Department of Motor Vehicles.

Walker, Lt. Governor Rebecca Kleefisch, and State Sen. Van Wanggaard (R-Racine) are all under recall. With the new law, voters would be required to show ID for all local, national and recall elections from here on out, including primaries.