Wis. Election Official Explains Why Voluntary ID is Unfair

The director of the Wisconsin Government Accountability Board, which recently shut down a citizen activist effort to show photo ID, wrote an op-ed in the Superior Telegram to explain how the Legislature has primary authority for changing state election law and discuss the dangers that voter ID presents to the democratic process.

Kevin Kennedy, director and general counsel of the Government Accountability Board, wrote:

“This country has a long, sordid history of treating people differently when they come to the polling place based on religion, social status, income, race or appearance. Proponents of voluntary photo ID may not experience this at their polling places and so may not fully appreciate why it is critically important to treat all Wisconsin voters the same at the polling place.

Any legislation regulating our right to vote is a balance between protecting the ability of all eligible citizens to participate in the electoral process and protecting the integrity of the process. Citizens should not claim their vote is diluted by fraud if they rely on measures that diminish the opportunity of others to participate. It is equally unfair to enhance the value of your vote by preventing citizens who may not share your ideals from voting.“

Kennedy also addressed concerns with voter fraud, which he said usually amounts to poll worker error:

“We have seen rare instances where people appear at the polling place to find they have already been recorded as having voted. More often than not, it is due to poll worker error. Photo ID, voluntary or mandatory, will not prevent a poll worker from making an incorrect notation on the poll list. Even if an individual requested voluntary photo ID, current law would not permit a poll worker to deny that person the opportunity to vote if the person did not show it.”

Read the full Superior Telegram op-ed here.