The very thing you may have used to vote today is one of the things drawing attention on the ballot. Every Wisconsin voter will have the opportunity to approve a referendum enshrining the state’s voter identification law into the constitution. The law itself was approved in 2011 and has been in effect in elections since 2016. The push for the amendment started in 2023 and was approved in two consecutive sessions so it could be placed on the spring election ballot. Support for the constitutional amendment has fallen largely along party lines. Earlier this year, Rep. Joel Kitchens said if we need proper photo identification for other aspects of our lives, using it for voting should not be a problem.
Common Cause Wisconsin Executive Director Jay Heck says amending the constitution should be saved for special situations, not for advancing partisan talking points.
According to Ballotpedia, 35 states require voters to present identification to vote. Early voting is now open through the end of the month, with election day on April 1st.