WEC Approves Drivers' Licenses as Voter ID
The Wisconsin Elections Commission is making it clear that some non-citizens in Wisconsin can use their drivers’ licenses at the polls next week.
The Elections Commission staff on Monday sent a memo to Congressman Bryan Steil, explaining how people who are in the country legally, but who are not citizens can use their state-issued drivers’ licenses to vote.
“Because both the “Limited Term” and “Non-Domiciled” identifications are issued pursuant to Chapter 343 of the Statutes, Wis. Stat. § 5.02(6m)(a)1. mandates that these identifications must be accepted as a proper form of voter identification,” the memo explained. However, possessing a valid identification does not necessarily mean the holder of the identification is eligible to vote.”
The Elections Commission staff also said the burden for keeping non-citizens from voting lies with local election clerks. Though there is a state law that guarantees non-citizens at least a chance to make their case to vote.
“If an election inspector notices that the photo identification contains an indication that the individual may not be eligible to vote, state law directs that the inspector examine whether the individual’s qualifications to vote should be challenged. These challenge procedures must be followed in full,” the Commission staff wrote. “Clerks or election inspectors cannot deny someone registration, or refuse to permit them to cast a ballot, without following the proper challenge procedures.”
Steil pressed the Elections Commission for answers about non-citizens and their ability to vote in Wisconsin shortly after early voting began last week.
The Elections Commission told Steil they will meet on Friday to formalize guidance for clerks who have questions.
Steil said that hearing cannot wait.
“WEC should convene immediately to issue guidance, as registration and voting in Wisconsin is ongoing,” Steil said in a two-sentence letter to the Commission.
The Elections Commission memo said non-citizens have been able to get drivers’ licenses, either Limited Term or Non-Domicile licenses, since 2016.
“In general, Temporary Visitors in this sense do not include lawful permanent residents (green card holders) or U.S. citizens at the time the identification card was issued,” the memo added
But the staff said only recently has the Commission “received many questions from clerks asking how to proceed should they encounter this type of ID at the polls on Election Day and during in-person absentee voting.”
Steil is one of several Republicans in Wisconsin who are supporting a constitutional amendment on this fall’s ballot that would change Wisconsin law and allow “only” Wisconsin citizens to vote in elections in the state.
Supporters say it’s loopholes like the non-citizen drivers’ licenses that show the amendment is needed.
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