After a long, contentious debate, the state Assembly Wednesday voted 59-36 to require citizens bring valid photo identification cards when they vote. Democrats Tony Staskunas of West Allis and Peggy Krusick of Milwaukee voted with all Republicans and the sole independent legislator (Rep. Bob Ziegelbauer) in support of the measure.
Democrats offered more than 50 amendments in a debate that lasted until late in the evening. None of the minority party amendments was adopted.
The state Senate is poised to take action on the voter ID bill (2011 Assembly Bill 7) next week, in keeping with the goal of Republican leaders to make the bill become law in Wisconsin as soon as possible. The voter ID requirement will become law in 2012, but some parts of the bill will go into effect immediately.
AFSCME opposes any law that would complicate the process of voting. AB 7 creates a complicated set of rules that citizens will have to heed in order to vote. It comes at a time when the federal REAL ID law is to go into effect, making it harder to obtain driver's licenses, among other things.
Posted by Susan McMurray, Lobbyist
AFSCME Wisconsin
Sent from Steven Williams BlackBerry smartphone
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