Wisconsin’s Election Guidance Sparks Debate Over Noncitizen Voting IDs

Voter registration table with forms, pens, and information.

Wisconsin’s election integrity hangs in the balance as the state grapples with controversial guidance on noncitizen IDs for voting.

At a Glance

Wisconsin Elections Commission’s proposed guidance allows use of noncitizen IDs for voting
Republicans seek Department of Transportation citizenship data to clean voter rolls
Concerns raised about potential voter fraud and election integrity
Bipartisan divide stalls consensus on how to address the issue

Controversy Erupts Over Noncitizen IDs in Wisconsin Voting

The Wisconsin Elections Commission (WEC) finds itself at the center of a heated debate over the use of noncitizen IDs in the voting process. The proposed guidance, which suggests that temporary visitor IDs often issued to noncitizens can be used to vote, has sparked concerns about potential voter fraud and election integrity in this crucial battleground state.

Rep. Bryan Steil, chairman of the House Administration Committee, has called for clarity on whether Limited Term and Non-Domiciled IDs can be used for voter registration. This move comes as Wisconsin Republicans seek access to Department of Transportation citizenship data to identify and remove alleged noncitizens from voter rolls.

The Dilemma of Noncitizen IDs

Wisconsin law mandates the acceptance of these IDs as voter identification, but possession does not guarantee voting eligibility. This nuance has created a complex situation where noncitizens are prohibited from voting, yet temporary visitor IDs could potentially be used if the holder claims U.S. citizenship. However, “Spoiler Alert: The temporary visitor IDs generally issued to noncitizens can be used to vote, according to proposed guidance from members of the Elections Commission.” stated Elections Commissioner Bob Spindell.

The WEC’s guidance includes a challenge process for these IDs, requiring election inspectors to verify citizenship through an oath. However, critics argue that this honor system may not be sufficient to prevent voter fraud, especially in a state as politically significant as Wisconsin.

Republican Efforts and Democratic Opposition

Republicans in Wisconsin have been pushing for stricter measures to ensure election integrity. A Republican-led bill to mark noncitizen IDs as “not valid for voting” was vetoed by Democratic Governor Tony Evers, further intensifying the partisan divide on this issue. Rep. Scott Krug went on to say, “I think this is the most important thing that we can get done before September, when people really start thinking about the election. We’re going to go through holy hell in November and December and January all over again if we do not put every single data point that we have and every effort we have into making sure that we’re sharing all this data, free and clear, between the agencies and that there’s oversight on it.”

However, the Department of Transportation has questioned the reliability of the citizenship data, citing it as outdated and potentially harmful to lawful voters. This has led to concerns about the potential for wrongful voter challenges and disenfranchisement.

The Bigger Picture

While noncitizen voting is rare, the controversy surrounding this issue reflects broader concerns about election security and immigration. Critics argue that focusing on noncitizen voting may create unnecessary fear and distrust in the electoral process.

As the debate continues, Wisconsin’s election officials face the challenge of balancing voter accessibility with the need for robust safeguards against fraud. The outcome of this controversy could have significant implications for future elections in this key swing state.