What to know about April's voter ID ballot referendum

MADISON, Wis. (CBS 58) -- Voters will not only have to present a photo ID to vote on April 1, but they'll also be asked about adding that requirement to the state constitution.

It's part of a constitutional amendment that will appear on ballots across the state.

The ballot referendum asks voters, “shall section 1m of article III of the constitution be created to require that voters present valid photographic identification verifying their identity in order to vote in any election, subject to exceptions which may be established by law?”

A "yes" vote would enshrine Wisconsin's voter requirement in the state constitution, a move that would make it harder for a court to strike down the law or for lawmakers to repeal.

Voting "no" would not add the state's voter ID law to the constitution.

If the ballot measure is approved or rejected, little would change for Wisconsin voters because the existing photo ID law has been on the books for nearly a decade, said Bryna Godar at the State Democracy Research Initiative at the University of Wisconsin Law School.

However, Republican lawmakers who authored the amendment say it's designed to protect the law from legal challenges in wake of the state Supreme Court gaining a 4-3 liberal majority in 2023.

The balance of the court is yet again up for grabs on April 1. Dane County Judge Susan Crawford and Waukesha County Judge Brad Schimel are vying for an open seat on the court.

"The reason [this constitutional amendment] is coming up now is that Republican lawmakers pointed to a liberal majority on the court and the possibility of remaining liberal control which could see future challenges," said Godar.

This marks the sixth time voters will be asked about amending the state constitution over the last year. Constitutional amendments have become a popular choice among Republicans, who control the Legislature, to try and pass their agenda.

Gov. Tony Evers cannot veto a constitutional amendment, but it must pass two consecutive legislative sessions before it appears on the ballot.

Since 2023, Republicans have approved eight amendments for the ballot. Only two regarding the governor's authority over spending federal aid were rejected by voters.

Other measures overwhelmingly approved by voters addressed bail reform, election administration and funding, and prohibiting noncitizens from voting.