Senate Republicans pass Wisconsin's voter ID amendment

 

MADISON, Wis. (CBS 58) -- Republican lawmakers are one step closer to approving an April ballot measure that would ask voters to make Wisconsin's voter ID law a constitutional requirement.

Senate Republicans passed the proposal along party lines on Wednesday, sending it to the Assembly for a vote next week.

Supporters of the ballot measure said it would protect against voter fraud. Meanwhile, opponents believe it discourages voting and called the proposal "political" because photo ID requirements are already state law.

Sen. Van Wanggaaard, a Republican author of the amendment, said enshrining voter ID requirements in the state constitution would make it harder for Democrats or the courts to repeal the law.

"The only way to ensure this stays the law of the land is to put it in the constitution," said Wanggaard. "I am unwilling to let this basic election integrity measure be overturned by the Wisconsin Supreme Court."

The ballot measure is on track to coincide with April's state Supreme Court, an election that will once again decide control of the bench after liberals gained the majority in 2023.

During debate on the floor, Democrats accused Republicans of playing politics for first voting on a constitutional amendment days after the legislative session began.

"There are so many other issues we could be debating on and voting on, but this? This is not it," said Sen. Dora Drake (D-Milwaukee).

Democrats said they'd prefer discussing issues addressing school safety after a recent school shooting in Madison, child care, housing and rising costs.

"This is a disgrace, you should be ashamed," said Sen. LaTonya Johnson, a Milwaukee Democrat who emphasized recent gun violence in her district.

Wanggaard responded by asking Democrats why they didn't bring forth their own proposals to debate.

Gov. Tony Evers posted a video on "X" criticizing Republicans for passing this latest ballot measure instead of his proposal to allow citizens to craft their own.

"I believe you should have a say, a voice in our state laws and the questions that appear on your ballot," Evers said.

The governor's comments come after top Republicans said they'll reject his newly unveiled budget proposal to create a citizen-led referendum process. The move would give votes an avenue to create or repeal laws without legislative approval.

"DOA - dead on arrival," Assembly Speaker Robin Vos said. "It's never going to happen."

The Assembly plans to vote on the voter ID amendment Tuesday. If approved, the measure would go before voters on the April ballot.

Republicans approved the same amendment last year, meeting the requirement that it must pass two consecutive sessions.

Gov. Evers is unable to veto constitutional amendments.