New Wisconsin Voter Photo ID Rules Incorporates Major Changes

PLATTEVILLE, WI (October 22, 2015) – City Clerk Jan Martin urges voters in the City of Platteville to plan now to make sure they have an acceptable photo ID to vote, beginning with the next election.  Most voters already have one of the types of photo ID required to vote. 

Election Day
  On Election Day, voters must show one of the following photo IDs before they can cast a ballot:

• Wisconsin Driver License
• Wisconsin State ID Card
• Military ID Card
• U.S. Passport Book or Card

NOTE:  These IDs are still valid if expired after the date of the most recent general election (November 4, 2014).

The following forms of photo ID are also acceptable:

• A Certificate of Naturalization, within two years of issuance
• Driver License Receipt issued by the WI DOT, within 45 days of issuance
• ID issued by a federally recognized Wisconsin Indian Tribe
• A photo ID issued by a Wisconsin accredited university or college, or technical college along with an enrollment verification document.  Valid for two years from date of issuance.   (Please contact your  local clerk, the Wisconsin Government Accountability Board or your college or university for specifications)

* An acceptable photo ID is not required to include a current address.

If you do not have a valid Wisconsin Driver License or State ID you can receive a free State ID from your local DMV if you specifically request a free ID for voting purposes.  If you do not have a birth certificate, the DMV can help with that, too.  Please contact your local DMV for more information.

Absentee Voting

• In-Person – During in-person absentee voting, voters must present photo ID just like on Election Day.
In-person absentee voting begins the third Monday before the election, and ends at 5 PM the Friday before the election. In-person absentee voting hours in the City of Platteville are 8 AM – 4:30 PM Monday – Friday, with the office staying open until 5 PM the Friday before the election.
• By Mail - When voters request an absentee ballot by mail, they must include a photocopy of their photo ID with the request, or the ballot cannot be mailed.  However, voters who are “indefinitely confined” because of age, illness, infirmity or disability and voters in care facilities do not need a photo ID.  Instead, the absentee witness verifies the voter’s identity.  Active members of the U.S. Armed Services who are away from home are also exempt from the photo ID requirement.  Please contact my office for more information. 

For specific questions on how the new Voter ID law affects you, please contact my office at City Hall, 75 N Bonson Street, Platteville, WI or call me at (608) 348-1823.

Voters are also encouraged to visit the Wisconsin Government Accountability’s Photo ID website, www.bringit.wisconsin.gov for information about the new law.