Wisconsin’s election integrity faces a new challenge as noncitizen IDs spark voter fraud concerns.
At a Glance
- Wisconsin Elections Commission proposes guidance on using noncitizen IDs for voting purposes
- Republicans seek Department of Transportation citizenship data to clean voter rolls
- Concerns raised about potential voter fraud and election integrity
- Debate intensifies over the use of temporary visitor IDs in the voting process
- Bipartisan disagreement complicates efforts to address ID concerns
Controversy Erupts Over Noncitizen IDs in Wisconsin Elections
The Wisconsin Elections Commission (WEC) finds itself at the center of a heated debate over proposed guidance allowing the use of noncitizen IDs for voting purposes. This contentious issue has gained traction following inquiries from Rep. Bryan Steil, chairman of the House Administration Committee, who urged the WEC to clarify whether Limited Term and Non-Domiciled IDs can be used for voter registration.
The proposed guidance suggests that temporary visitor IDs, often issued to noncitizens, can be used to vote. This has raised significant concerns about potential voter fraud, especially in a battleground state like Wisconsin. While current law mandates the acceptance of these IDs as voter identification, possession of such an ID does not guarantee voting eligibility.
Republican Efforts to Clean Voter Rolls
In response to these concerns, Wisconsin Republicans are seeking Department of Transportation citizenship data to identify and remove alleged noncitizens from voter rolls. However, the reliability of this data has been called into question by the Department of Transportation itself, citing it as outdated and potentially harmful to lawful voters.
“I think this is the most important thing that we can get done before September, when people really start thinking about the election. We’re going to go through holy hell in November and December and January all over again if we do not put every single data point that we have and every effort we have into making sure that we’re sharing all this data, free and clear, between the agencies and that there’s oversight on it.” – Rep. Scott Krug
Critics argue that focusing on noncitizen voting may create fear and distrust in the electoral process. However, proponents of these efforts maintain that cleaning voter rolls is crucial to prevent potential fraud.
Challenges and Safeguards in Wisconsin’s Election System
Despite the controversy, Wisconsin has established systems to ensure fair and accurate elections, with multiple safeguards in place before, during, and after voting. Strict voter eligibility laws in the state ensure that only U.S. citizens can vote in federal elections, and voter registration requires applicants to affirm or verify their citizenship status under penalty of perjury.
“OPINION: VOTING IS A CORNERSTONE OF DEMOCRACY. WISCONSIN STRIVES TO ENSURE FAIR ELECTIONS.” – Scott McCallum and Marge Bostelmann
The WEC’s proposed guidance includes a challenge process for IDs, requiring election inspectors to verify citizenship through an oath. However, concerns persist about the reliance on an honor system and the potential for voter fraud.
Political Divide and Legislative Efforts
The issue has created a clear divide along party lines within the Wisconsin Elections Commission. A Republican-led bill to mark noncitizen IDs as “not valid for voting” was vetoed by Democrat Gov. Tony Evers, further intensifying the debate.
“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
As the controversy continues to unfold, the Wisconsin Elections Commission faces the challenging task of balancing election integrity with voter accessibility. The outcome of this debate could have significant implications for future elections in this crucial swing state.
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
