Wisconsin voter ID law still causing confusion, stifles turnout in Milwaukee, voting advocates say

Sep 4, 2024 Story by: Editor

Nearly ten years ago, Wisconsin shifted from being one of the easiest states for voting to enforcing stricter rules, igniting an ongoing debate over voter access. The state’s law requiring voters to present photo identification was intended to enhance ballot security, according to its Republican backers. However, experts and advocates argue that this measure has disproportionately affected Black voters in Milwaukee, who are less likely to possess a photo ID and less motivated to obtain one compared to their white counterparts.

“You don’t realize the effect it has on you until it happens to you,” said Anita Johnson, who has spent the past eight years assisting Milwaukee voters with navigating the state’s voter ID law. In an interview, she added, “And then you’re like, ‘Do I want to go through this? I mean, is this really worth it?’ It really stops people from voting.”

The voter ID law, which was upheld after facing multiple legal challenges, went into effect during the 2016 presidential election cycle. Since then, numerous studies and advocacy groups have emerged to help voters understand and work around the law. Their findings highlight a decline in voting accessibility that started in 2012, when Republicans gained control of the state government, and worsened after the voter ID law was implemented. Source: ABH Museum