The state legislature recently passed a law that requires people to present photo identification when voting. Consequently, Department of Motor Vehicles customer service centers around the state are noticing an increase in the number of people coming in to request an identification card because they think they need one to vote. The Wisconsin state identification card is just one form of photo identification that can be used to vote, but many forms are acceptable.
“A Wisconsin driver license is also acceptable, and that is what most people have and, ultimately, what most people will use,” said Department of Motor Vehicles Deputy Administrator Patrick Fernan in a press release. “If you have an unexpired Wisconsin driver license, you have the photo ID needed to vote.”
Currently, around 4.3 million Wisconsinites have an unexpired driver license or state identification card ; both are acceptable as photo identification at the polls. For people who don’t have an acceptable photo identification for voting and want one, the Department of Motor Vehicles can issue a photo identification card free of charge if they meet the requirements. For more information, visit www.wisconsindmv.gov.
State law prohibits individuals from holding both a Wisconsin driver license and a Wisconsin identification card.
“If you want an ID card and you already have an unexpired Wisconsin driver license,” said Fernan, “you have to turn in your driver license. State law doesn’t allow you to hold both.”
More information about voting in Wisconsin, including other acceptable forms of photo identification to vote, is available through the Wisconsin Government Accountability Board at www.gab.wi.gov.
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