Capitol Connection
By State Senator Joe Leibham
May 7, 2008
Photo ID Law Deemed Constitutional
Over the past couple of weeks, I have been asked by numerous constituents to explain my thoughts regarding the recent ruling by the United State’s Supreme Court that a voter ID law currently in place in the State of Indiana was constitutional. As you may know, the Supreme Court ruled, by a 6-3 vote, that the requirements of the voter ID law in Indiana were not overly burdensome in allowing all legal citizens the right to vote in elections. Specifically, in writing their supporting opinion Chief Justice Roberts, Justice Kennedy, and Justice Stevens stated “the inconvenience of going to the Bureau of Motor Vehicles, gathering required documents, and posing for a photograph does not qualify as a substantial burden on most voters’ right to vote, or represent a significant increase over the usual burdens of voting.” They further state “In sum, on the basis of the record that has been made in this litigation, we cannot conclude that the statute imposes “excessively burdensome requirements” on any class of voters” including, the poor, indigent or the elderly.
Interestingly, Indiana’s law mirrors the voter ID proposal that I have authored in the State Senate three times over the past number of years. Like in my proposal, provisions are built in to help low income people afford the cost of the ID and to allow senior citizens and other people who typically vote by absentee to be exempted from the ID requirement.
Of course, I was pleased by the court ruling but I was not surprised. I have never believed, nor have the majority of the citizens that have contacted me on the issue, that the requirement to show a photo ID prior to voting or registering to vote was overly burdensome. In fact, most people believe this is the least we can do to protect the integrity of all legal votes cast. Even senior citizens, who opponents suggest would be unfairly disenfranchised with a voter ID law, reject the argument that they don’t already have a photo ID or that they would be unable or unwilling to get one to legally participate in our elections. The court decision simply validates the opinion and belief most citizens have long held regarding voter ID.
However, Governor Jim Doyle continues to oppose a voter ID requirement. After the court ruling was announced, Governor Doyle stated “a photo ID requirement would do nothing but disenfranchise tens of thousands of voters in Wisconsin, from the elderly to the poor to minorities.” As you should know, Governor Doyle has vetoed each of the three voter ID proposals I have authored and most Democratic legislators also oppose this requirement.
While the court ruling is helpful in determining the constitutionality of our voter ID proposal it does not eliminate the opposition such a bill will continue to face in Wisconsin under Governor Doyle. Regardless, I will continue to fight for this common sense election reform. It is time to end the rhetoric and remove the partisanship on this issue and once and for all restore the integrity and confidence of Wisconsin’s elections by implementing a voter ID law. At the start of the next regular legislative session, beginning in January of 2009, I will re-introduce my proposal and call on Governor Doyle and the legislative leaders in both houses to once again address the issue of voter integrity. You can do your part by contacting the Governor now at 608-266-1212 and share your support for this common sense reform. In the end, my goal is to create a reasonable election process that makes it easier for all legal citizens to vote and tougher for illegal activity to disenfranchise this awesome right.
As always, it has been a pleasure communicating with you and I look forward to receiving your thoughts. Please remember to communicate with me and share your input by calling 888-295-8750, writing to me at P.O. Box 7882, Madison, WI 53707-7882, or by e-mailing me at Sen.Leibham@legis.wi.gov. You can also log on to the 9th Senate District on-line office at www.leibhamsenate.com.
It is an honor representing the residents of the 9th District in the State Senate!