MADISON, Wis. — Voters across Wisconsin could soon be asked to weigh in on whether existing voter ID law should be enshrined in the state’s constitution as the legislature inches closer to approval.

The language in resolution already passed the Senate and Assembly last session. However, it needs to clear those hurdles again, without any changes, before going to voters.

Lawmakers in the Senate passed the measure 17-15 along party lines Wednesday, but not before some lively debate.

What You Need To Know

  • Republicans, who control the Wisconsin Legislature, are moving quickly to place a measure on the April ballot that would enshrine the state’s existing voter ID requirement into the state constitution

  • The move would make it more difficult for Democrats to soften the 14-year-old law or overturn the requirement in court

  • The voter ID constitutional amendment is the first proposal being considered by the Wisconsin Legislature this year

  • The Legislature passed the voter ID proposal last session and must approve it again by Jan. 21 to get it on the April ballot for voter approval

“Right now, we’re here to discuss this today. This is the one bill that’s been introduced,” State Sen. Van Wanggaard, R-Racine, told his colleagues on the floor. “You know, I’m sorry that I introduced it and was the first one to do it. There [are] always firsts.”

Republicans defended their decision Wednesday to move forward with a constitutional amendment on voter ID, while Democrats felt lawmakers could be focusing on other issues.

“So, we’re standing here today deciding that this is a top priority, then we are missing what Wisconsinites are stating across our state,” State Sen. Dora Drake, D-Milwaukee, said. “There are so many other issues that we can be debating about today and voting on, but this, this is not it.”

Democrats also argued the process was rushed just three days into the new legislative session.

Minority Leader Sen. Dianne Hesselbein and Sen. Jeff Smith have a discussion during Wednesday's floor session. (Spectrum News 1/Mandy Hague)

“I can’t imagine how we are forcing anything when the resolution put it to a vote of the people,” State Sen. Cory Tomczyk, R-Mosinee, added in defense of the move.

“Gerrymandering has unraveled, and this is the one thing you are still hanging onto to help you hang on to power,” State Sen. Jeff Smith, D-Brunswick, explained. “That’s what this is about.”

Meanwhile, Republicans in the State Assembly are already poised to pass the measure when they meet on Tuesday.

“I hope that finally the folks on the other side, who had all kinds of arguments 10 years ago as to why they though voter ID was bad for Wisconsin, will realize that it has become an accepted practice,” Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, R-Rochester, told reporters during a Wednesday press briefing. “It’s something that prevents fraud, and it’s something that certainly shouldn’t be overturned by anyone but the will of the people.”

The reason for a rush at the Capitol is both chambers need to rubber stamp the constitutional amendment by January 21 to have it on the ballot in time for the spring election in April, which is on track to happen with the second Assembly vote scheduled for next week.

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