Wisconsin voters will no longer be required to provide a photo ID to vote in the November 4 election.
The United States Supreme Court voted six to three, to block the implementation of the law requiring voters to show a photo ID.
Conservative Justices Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito and Antonin Scalia dissented. This vote stops a decision from a lower court that would have allowed the Wisconsin voter ID law to be in place for the election in November.
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) along with other civil rights organizations, filed an emergency request to the U.S. Supreme Court on Tuesday October 7, to have the voter ID law blocked after the 7th U.S. Circuit Court declared the law constitutional on Monday, October 6.
Wisconsin Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen said in a statement to NBC News that he believes the voter ID law is constitutional and he is exploring ways to reinstate the law before the November election.
“We are relieved,” said Neil Albrecht, executive director of the Milwaukee Election Commission. “We never supported voter ID. It presents an unnecessary barrier to voting.
We want people to be able to participate in elections.”
Lou Ann Pitts, a teacher from Kenosha, said, “I am happy about the recent ruling.
Now everyone will be able to vote. No one will have to jump through hoops to vote.”
Mayor Tom Barrett and Albrecht are working to get the message out to the community on voter registration and early voting.
According to wispolitics.com, on Monday October 13, Mayor Barrett, Milwaukee Public Library Director Paula Kiely and Albrecht, discussed preparation plans for the November 4, election.
“With the removal of voter ID as an unnecessary roadblock to a fair election, the city is now able to focus on encouraging strong voter participation,” said Barrett. “Voter registration is the first step to voting.”
Milwaukee residents can register at the Election Commission, Room 501, City Hall, 200 East Wells, or at their polling place on Election Day.
To register, residents will need to provide proof of residency.
A list of acceptable proof of residency documents can be found on city.milwaukee.gov.
Voters who need to register can go to the State of Wisconsin’s voter information website myvote.wI.gov.
Residents can look up their voter information and also start the registration process. Forms can be printed, signed and taken to the clerk’s office by October 31, or brought to the polls on Election Day.
Early voting will begin on October 20 through October 31, in the City of Milwaukee at the Zeidler Municipal Building, 841 N. Broadway.
The hours for voting are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., these are the maximum hours for early voting based on a recently passed law limiting early voting hours.
“Early voting has become a national trend. People enjoy the peace of mind that comes from casting their ballots early.
In Milwaukee, over 37,000 people voted early in November 2012 and we anticipate a comparable number for this election,” Albrecht said.
Voter turnout will have a huge impact on this election.
The latest Marquette University Law School poll released on October 15, shows Republican Governor Scott Walker and Democratic candidate Mary Burke are tied.
The polls put Walker and Burke both at 47 percent among likely voters.
In a prior Marquette University poll taken two weeks ago, Walker had a slight lead over Burke, 50 percent to 45 percent among likely voters.
Marilyn Burress, a laborer for the Election Commission for 13 years, believes that the November election will be an important one.
“It’s going to be like a presidential election,” Burress said.
”I’m hoping people will come out to vote.”
“We are anticipating a high voter turnout and the city of Milwaukee is still hiring an additional 150 to 200 workers. We are looking to fully staff every voting site.” Albrecht said.
“Residents interested in working on Election Day can apply online at www.milwaukee.gov/helpmilwaukeevote.
