Wisconsin’s proposal to allow noncitizen IDs for voting sparks heated debate over potential fraud risks.
At a Glance
- Wisconsin Elections Commission proposes allowing temporary visitor IDs for voting
- Republicans raise concerns about potential voter fraud and election integrity
- Noncitizen voting is rare, but the proposal has ignited a partisan debate
- Efforts to access citizenship data from DMV face legal and accuracy challenges
- Wisconsin’s existing voter eligibility laws aim to ensure only U.S. citizens can vote
Wisconsin’s Controversial Proposal on Noncitizen IDs
The Wisconsin Elections Commission (WEC) is set to meet to discuss a contentious proposal that would clarify the use of noncitizen IDs at polling stations. This move has ignited a fierce debate over voter fraud concerns and election integrity in the battleground state. The proposal suggests that temporary visitor IDs, often issued to noncitizens, could be used for voting purposes, raising alarm among Republican lawmakers and election officials.
Rep. Bryan Steil, chairman of the House Administration Committee, has urged the WEC to provide clarity on whether Limited Term and Non-Domiciled IDs can be used for voter registration. The proposed guidance indicates that while these IDs can be accepted as voter identification, possession alone does not guarantee voting eligibility. This nuance has become a focal point of the ongoing controversy.
Concerns Over Potential Voter Fraud
Critics of the proposal argue that it could open the door to voter fraud, especially in a crucial swing state like Wisconsin. The guidance includes a challenge process for IDs, requiring election inspectors to verify citizenship through an oath. However, some officials express skepticism about the effectiveness of this honor-based system.
“Spoiler Alert: The temporary visitor IDs generally issued to noncitizens can be used to vote, according to proposed guidance from members of the Elections Commission.” – Elections Commissioner Bob Spindell
The politically divided commission faces internal disagreements, with Republican members seeking clearer guidance and stricter proof of citizenship requirements. A Republican-led bill to mark noncitizen IDs as “not valid for voting” was previously vetoed by Democratic Governor Tony Evers, further intensifying the partisan divide on this issue.
Efforts to Access Citizenship Data
In a parallel effort, Wisconsin Republicans are seeking Department of Transportation citizenship data to identify and remove alleged noncitizens from voter rolls. However, this initiative faces significant challenges. The Department of Transportation has questioned the reliability of the data, citing it as potentially outdated and harmful to lawful voters.
“Because there is no need to obtain a driver license or ID until the current product expires, the [citizenship] notation on record for a driver license or ID holder may be anywhere from several to eight years stale. This fact renders any non-citizen data collected by DMV subject to significant inaccuracy.” – Tommy Winkler Jr.
Legal and legislative efforts are ongoing to access and use this data, with Governor Evers opposing its release due to legal constraints. A lawsuit is currently underway to force the sharing of citizenship data with the election commission. Critics argue that focusing on noncitizen voting may create unnecessary fear and distrust in the electoral process, especially given the rarity of such occurrences.
Wisconsin’s Existing Safeguards
Amidst the controversy, it’s important to note that Wisconsin has established systems to ensure fair and accurate elections. Strict voter eligibility laws are in place to ensure that only U.S. citizens can vote in federal elections. Voter registration in the state requires applicants to affirm or verify their citizenship status under penalty of perjury.
Additionally, Wisconsin election officials regularly update voter registration lists based on various factors such as voter requests, deaths, moves, and changes in eligibility. These existing safeguards aim to maintain the integrity of the state’s electoral process, even as debates over new proposals continue.
As the Wisconsin Elections Commission prepares to meet and clarify the use of noncitizen IDs at the polls, the outcome of this contentious issue remains uncertain. The debate underscores the ongoing challenges in balancing election accessibility with security concerns, particularly in a key battleground state like Wisconsin.
Sources:
- Fight over Wisconsin DMV data flares as GOP pushes noncitizen voting message
- Opinion: Voting is a cornerstone of democracy. Wisconsin strives to ensure fair elections.
- Noncitizen ID Can Be Used To Vote, Says Proposed Wisconsin Election Commission Guidance
