Politics & Government

State Voter ID Bill Could Face Department of Justice Review

A group of Wisconsin Democrats is asking the DOJ to take a closer look at the new law.

Saying the new Wisconsin Voter ID bill violates the rights of some state residents, a group of Democratic lawmakers is asking the US Department of Justice to review the new law.

In a letter sent Fri., Jan. 13, 22 Democratic members of the legislature said the new Voter ID Bill - which requires residents to show an approved form of photo identification in order to vote - restricts minorities, seniors, students and the poor from exercising their constitutional right to vote.

US Attorney General Eric Holder got a similar letter last summer from the Wisconsin State Bar Civil Rights Division. The in October 2011, saying the law creates a separate class of American citizen - those who cannot vote - which is unconstitutional.

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The claiming the law is not only unconstitutional, it equates to a kind of poll tax. The suit lists seniors, minorities and the homeless as plaintiffs. Governor Scott Walker and the Government Accountability Board were named in the suit as well.

Voter ID goes into affect in February, in time for spring general elections across the state. Walker, Lt. Governor Rebecca Kleefisch, and State Sen. Van Wanggaard (R-Racine) are all under recall. With the new law, voters would be required to show ID for all local, national and recall elections from here on out, including primaries.

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