State Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen is pushing to have the state's Voter ID law in effect for the November election cycle, to overturn the rulings of two Dane County judges.
The law requiring voters to present identification at the polls was in effect for the Feb. 21 primary, but was later ruled , in response to suits filed by the League of Women Voters of Wisconsin, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People in Milwaukee and immigrant rights group Voces de la Frontera.
Van Hollen announced Tuesday morning he would ask the state's highest court to take up the two rulings, bypassing the state Court of Appeals. Additionally, Van Hollen said he would ask the Supreme Court to immediately stay each of the two injunctions against the law. In April, .
“No quarter has been given in defending Voter ID. My action today, now allowed under the court’s rules of procedure, gives the Wisconsin Supreme Court another opportunity to bring prompt, clear resolution to the law and settle this matter in advance of the November elections,” Van Hollen said in a statement Tuesday.
“People in this state are very frustrated that a common sense law enacted by the Legislature and signed by the governor has been blocked," he added. "While I respect the judicial process and the right to challenge a law in court, it is time for our Supreme Court to take control of these cases."
The Democratic Party of Wisconsin released a statement Tuesday arguing the law disenfranchises seniors, veterans and students, and Van Hollen's attempt to have it reinstated "reeks of partisanship."
“Regardless of whether you are a Republican, Democrat or independent, everyone can agree that we shouldn't play politics with something as important as voting — every eligible voter deserves to have the opportunity to make their voice heard at the ballot box," Democratic Party Chairman Mike Tate said.
“This deeply flawed legislation has already, correctly, been halted by two Wisconsin courts," he said.
Meanwhile, Gov. Scott Walker said he couldn’t possibly know if the state Supreme Court will take up Voter ID, but he does think the law is common sense and protects the integrity of the voting process.
"(Voter ID) is a common sense proposal that can withstand any legal challenge," he said Tuesday during a stop in Sturtevant. "This is something Republicans and Democrats can agree on because it's pretty simple. If you need a photo ID for public assistance and just about anything in today's society, then why isn't it reasonable to protect one of the most important things we have and that is the integrity of each and every vote."
The governor also addressed critics who claim the law disenfranchises some segments of the electorate.
"There's really no barrier that can be established (because) ID's are available at no cost to people who don't have means," he said.
(Updated 3:50 p.m. Tuesday with comments from Gov. Scott Walker)
Patch Editor Heather Asiyanbi contributed to this report.
ELECTION fraud (i.e. tampering of votes by those in power) is a REAL problem but of course they have you looking over there while they are doing the dirty deed right under our noses. Since there are legit voters out there who don't have ID I think there should be a way around it. Do it like they do all over the world, an ink pad, a thumb print, and a signature. If you don't have an ID, why not allow a thumb print and a signature? But again like I said, there is no voter fraud and hasn't been for 100+ years. Those voting machines are WAY more likely to mess with our elections. European countries tried all these machines but they outlawed them since they were too easy to manipulate and way too likely to screw with the vote tally. Someday we are going to find out exactly how many elections have been tampered with via voting machines, county clerks, etc. and I hope we are able to charge these people with treason.
"If the Dems cheat so much, how the H did Walker get in? did the Repubs cheat even more?" No Robert, enough people in the state of Wisconsin wised up enough to realize the Dems were doing nothing but driving the state into the ground. After years of job losses and rising taxes, we finally decided to take our state back. The fraud has never been the 30 or 40% level. It's just enough to tip the scale in Dem's favor. We are a very, very, very mixed state. But the tide has turned towards the red and now the Dems have no choice but to cheat!
However, how do you measure voter fraud if there is no desire to enforce it? Right now, election officials can not question a voter's identity. And who in their right mind is going to admit to committing voter fraud, even anonymously? I will ask again, without the rhetoric, how can voter ID stop a person that can legally vote from casting a ballot?
Your first and last statement contradict each other. If I follow all of the laws and I vote, and one case of voter fraud cancels out my vote, who then is disenfranchised? ME! Minuscule or not, it is taking my rights away.
I guess my ESP was not working when I sent you a legitimate specific request for the “many organized voter fraud” incidents… or, perhaps you did not understand… because you were too busy flooding the blog with numerous “links.” Which of the 9-superflous links that you simply decimated the Patch with should I look at? I think that in lieu of the fact that you simply cannot substantiate even (1) legitimate instance, much less many, of the “many organized voter fraud” incidents you wrote about, we can dismiss your purely emotional claims regarding “many organized voter fraud” incidents as unadulterated fantasy or psychotic ramblings… of a deeply troubled mind… I thought so…
There were several organizations that had vans, running throughout the city, to take people downtown everyday of early voting, for the June recall election. They should have made a stop at the DMV.
I know that there are 13-legged, purple Caucasian midgets on Mars and other planets too... How about a link or two for the source of "5000 free birth certificates..."
"The law is not being implemented due to injunctions by two liberal Dane County judges, that are trying to legislate from the bench. The injunctions just prevent the Government Accountability Board from enforcing the photo I.D. requirements. It's still the law." Can a "law" be a "law" if no one can legally enforce it? REAL “laws” have the power to control behavior and force compliance through penalties... I would suggest that this is a proposed “law”, only that and nothing more… Finally, the question is probably only an exercise in legalese at this point, as this particular "law" has no chance of being implemented for the November election.
http://county.milwaukee.gov/VtialRecordsSystem9855.htm
Yes, I'm aware that I can get a certified COPY of MY birth certificate, if I was born in Milwaukee County for $20.00. That is not the question I asked. [Feel free to insert any answer here...] "I know that Milwaukee County made available 5000 free birth certificates and less than 3% were issued. Other counties did the same. There were several organizations that had vans, running throughout the city, to take people downtown every day of early voting, for the June recall election. They should have made a stop at the DMV." How does this address the alleged "5000 FREE BIRTH CERTIFICATES", allegedly being delivered by VANS RUNNING THROUGHOUT THE CITY? What are these "several organizations?" What vans? What 5000 free birth certificates? If something like this happened, and Greg maintains that it did, perhaps you can provide me with a link to this story... rather than a link where I can fill out a form, with all birth information included, mother & father, with birth dates, enclose a check for $20.00, and send it in to the Milwaukee Country Clerk and obtain a certified copy of my birth certificate. THIS ISN'T FREE & IT CERTAINLY ISN'T 5000 BEING DELIVERED IN A VAN... [Feel free to insert any answer here]
All well and good, but what if you weren't born in Milwaukee County? What if you were born in a shack in Louisiana in 1930? That parish isn't issuing free birth certificates, assuming a birth certificate even exists.
"I know that there are 13-legged, purple Caucasian midgets on Mars and other planets too..." Did you find them with Google or the like? How about trying it for "Milwaukee, 5000 birth certificates"? You can even copy and paste.
You can read about the vans here: http://www.wuwm.com/news/wuwm_news.php?articleid=10491 The vans and birth certificate comments were two seperate issues, but the vans could be used to get people any form of required I.D. Have you been hanging around on Mars, with your little purple friends, for the past year? You really should get informed on the issues, then your comments would mean something.
Thanks. The VANS in your link were clearly provided for people who needed a ride to go VOTE… "I know that Milwaukee County made available 5000 free birth certificates and less than 3% were issued. Other counties did the same." “There were several organizations that had vans, running throughout the city, to take people downtown every day of early voting, for the June recall election. They should have made a stop at the DMV.” YOU STILL HAVE NOT ANSWERED: Where is the information regarding Milwaukee County making “available 5000 free birth certificates and less than 3% were issued” (?) What “Other counties did the same.” (?) I'm really NOT trying to be difficult here, just looking for some context and answers... And you think I’m on Mars?
America United @Progress2day WI Republican Legislator’s Wife Commits Voter Fraud, Robin Vos Red-Faced http://bit.ly/NkfFr5 #wiunion #wiright #p2 #p2b #tcot #GOPfraud
bluecheddar1 @bluecheddar1 There's a Democrat running against Robin Vos...her name is Kelly Albrecht: http://albrechtforassembly.com/ #WISpolitics #WIunion #p2
Root River Siren: Voter Fraud Finally Found In Racine County! By Robin Vos' Wife! http://rootriversiren.blogspot.com/2012/08/voter-fraud-finally-found-in-racine.html?spref=tw
If you are that concerned, why don't you get your fellow Libs to pay to get Mr. Louisiana's birth certificate rather than paying someone to register hundreds of fake voters? Something to think about.
http://weaselzippers.us/2012/08/25/billboard-of-the-day/
vincemegna profile vincemegna SIGN THE PETITION!!! Tell JB Van Hollen to stop playing political games with our right to vote! bit.ly/NI5Pe6 #NoVoterID