New voting rules create difficulties, reports say

[a kennedy]

Without increasing election officials' training and staffing, new voter registration requirements could make it difficult or even impossible for many valid Wisconsin voters to cast their ballot, according to reports released by two voting rights groups Wednesday.

The groups paint a picture of statewide confusion from poll workers and voters over acceptable proof of residency, along with a lack of preparation for the high voter turnout that was seen across Wisconsin during the June 5 recall election.

"What we saw were issues that could lead to disenfranchisement," said Andrea Kaminski, executive director for Wisconsin's League of Women Voters.

The league, along with Wisconsin Election Protection - a coalition that includes the American Civil Liberties Union, National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, AFL-CIO and Milwaukee-based immigrant rights group Voces de la Frontera - based the conclusions on reports filed by over 150 observers at polling places throughout the state.

Under a law passed last summer, voters are required to live at their voting address for 28 consecutive days before an election, up from the previous 10-day residency requirement. To register to vote, voters must prove residency using a limited list of identification sources.

Those rules, along with inadequate staffing and training for election officials, led to confusion, long waits and voters being improperly turned away, according to the Wisconsin Election Protection report. Both reports concluded that students, who are more transient and less likely to possess the documents needed to prove residency, were most likely to face voting difficulties. Because of changes in the law, parents could not corroborate the validity of college students living at home during the summer who did not have proof of residence.

THIS ABOUT SUMS IT ALL UP AND JUST WHAT THEY WANT: "What we saw were issues that could lead to disenfranchisement," said Andrea Kaminski, executive director for Wisconsin's League of Women Voters.


http://www.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/new-voting-rules-create-difficulties-reports-say-h267ujo-163640666.html

[liberal N proud]

1. GOP Mission accomplished.

[Anansi1171]

2. This going to take Work, Time and Money to overcome...

...but mostly the first two. We have to turn this vote out and that means thru verifying registrations and mail in ballots if that's preferable.

This can be overcome but I would have expected a little more organized resistance. What's Occupy doing these days anyway? Do they even care to bank a win in this game? Like stemming this attack on voting rights?

[dragonlady]

3. Here's a suggestion on proof of residence

One acceptable proof of residence is "a document issued by a unit of government." A student or other such person whose name is not on the utility bills can send for some information from a friendly legislator, public college, the university extension service, Wisconsin Department of Tourism, and so on. When the information comes back, it should work just fine for voter registration.

This is the complete list from the GAB:

The following constitute acceptable Proof-of-Residence if the document contains your current name and address and is valid on Election Day (unless otherwise indicated):
A current and valid Wisconsin driver license.
A current and valid Wisconsin identification card.
Any other official identification card or license issued by a Wisconsin governmental body or unit.
Any identification card issued by an employer in the normal course of business and bearing a photo of the card holder, but not including a business card.
A real estate tax bill or receipt for the current year or the year preceding the date of the election.
A residential lease which is effective for a period that includes election day (NOT for first-time voters registering by mail).
A university, college or technical institute identification card (must include photo), ONLY if the bearer provides a fee receipt dated within the last nine months or the institution provides a certified housing list to the municipal clerk.
A gas, electric or telephone service statement (utility bill) for the period commencing not earlier than 90 days before election day.
Bank statement.
Paycheck.
A check or other document issued by a unit of government.