Voluntary Voter ID

Today, Representative Bill Kramer (R-Waukesha) and I wrote a letter to the Chairman of the Senate Labor, Elections and Urban Affairs Committee asking him to hold a hearing on Senate Bill 350, the Protect My Vote Act.

Under the bill, citizens concerned about having their vote stolen could enroll in a voluntary voter ID program. Here's how it would work: You go to your municipal clerk's office and opt-in to the program by signing a registration card and producing a photo ID. On Election Day, the poll worker will ask you for your photo ID before he or she hands you a ballot. Then you vote. It's that simple.

This bill guarantees when you go to the polls your right to vote will not be denied because someone already voted using your name. While SB 350 was not written to replace a full statewide voter ID requirement, I see it as a positive step in preserving our faith in democracy.

Here is the letter Representative Kramer and I sent to Chairman Coggs:

January 11, 2010


Senator Spencer Coggs
Chairman, Committee on Labor, Elections and Urban Affairs
Room 123 South, State Capitol
Madison, Wisconsin 53707

**Delivered Via Page**

Dear Chairman Coggs:

We are writing you to day to request a hearing on Senate Bill 350 (SB 350), assigned to the Committee on Labor, Election and Urban Affairs on October 14, 2009.

SB 350 allows individual electors to opt-in to a voluntary voter ID program. Voters who choose this option, will have their vote protected from fraud by requiring poll workers to ask for their photo identification in order to vote.

We believe this bill is an important step toward restoring people’s faith in our election system. We hope that you will consider holding a hearing on SB 350 in the coming weeks.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,



TED KANAVAS BILL KRAMER
Wisconsin State Senate Wisconsin State Assembly
33rd District 97th District