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Wisconsin voters to decide on Voter ID Constitutional Amendment in April 1 Referendum

Wisconsin voters will head to the polls on April 1 to decide on a constitutional amendment that would solidify the state’s existing voter ID requirement. The referendum, approved by the Republican-led Legislature along party lines, asks whether Wisconsin’s Constitution should be amended to require voters to present a valid photo identification to cast a ballot in any election.

While the referendum has sparked debate along partisan lines, the outcome will not change the state’s current voter ID law, which has been in effect since 2011. Instead, the measure aims to prevent potential court rulings from overturning the existing law. Assembly Speaker Robin Vos (R-Rochester) and other Republican leaders argue that the amendment is necessary to protect election security, while Democratic opponents say it could disproportionately impact low-income and minority voters.

What’s on the Ballot?

Voters will consider the following question:

“Shall section 1m of article III of the constitution be created to require that voters present valid photographic identification verifying their identity in order to vote in any election, subject to exceptions which may be established by law?”

If approved, the amendment would permanently enshrine voter ID requirements in the Wisconsin Constitution, making it harder for future courts or legislatures to eliminate them.

Current Wisconsin Voter ID Law

Even if voters reject the referendum, Wisconsin’s voter ID law will remain unchanged. Currently, voters must provide one of the following forms of valid identification when casting a ballot:

Wisconsin driver’s license (valid or expired, as long as it was valid after the last general election), State-issued identification card, Military ID, U.S. passport, Tribal ID card issued by a federally recognized American Indian tribe in Wisconsin, College or university student ID (must include an issuance date, an expiration date, and a signature).

Voters who arrive at the polls without an accepted form of ID may cast a provisional ballot, but their vote will only be counted if they return with valid identification before the deadline set by election officials.

Why Is This Referendum Happening?

Republican lawmakers pushed for the referendum amid concerns that a liberal-leaning Wisconsin Supreme Court could overturn the existing voter ID law.

Assembly Speaker Robin Vos cited polling data indicating that around 80 percent of Wisconsin voters support voter ID requirements. Republicans view the amendment as a preemptive measure to prevent legal challenges from rolling back what they see as an essential safeguard for election integrity.

A Rasmussen Reports poll released this week found that:

  • 77% of Americans support requiring a photo ID to vote.
  • 60% of respondents do not believe that voter ID laws are discriminatory.
  • 88% of Black voters and 77% of Hispanic voters nationwide favor voter ID requirements.

However, Democrats and voting rights groups argue that voter ID laws can suppress turnout, particularly among low-income, elderly, and minority voters who may face barriers to obtaining proper identification.

Democratic Opposition and Concerns

Opponents of the measure, including progressive Democrats and voting rights advocates, argue that the amendment could lead to further restrictions on voting access. They suggest that voter ID laws disproportionately affect:

  • Elderly voters who no longer drive and may lack up-to-date identification;
  • College students who may have student IDs that don’t meet state requirements; and
  • Low-income voters who may face challenges obtaining proper documentation.

How Wisconsin Compares to Other States

Wisconsin is among nine states that enforce strict voter ID laws. However, it is unique in allowing same-day voter registration at polling places, which can be done using alternative proof of residence documents like bank statements or utility bills.

States with similarly strict voter ID laws include: Georgia, Indiana, Kansas, Missouri, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Texas.

Unlike some states, Wisconsin does not automatically issue free voter ID cards to all eligible voters, though free ID cards are available through the Department of Motor Vehicles for those who need them.

What’s Next?

Wisconsin voters will have the final say on April 1. If the referendum passes, the amendment will be added to the Wisconsin Constitution, reinforcing the state’s voter ID law against potential future legal challenges.

If rejected, the current law will remain in effect, but it could be subject to legal challenges in the future, especially given the shifting ideological balance of the Wisconsin Supreme Court.

Election officials encourage all eligible voters to verify their identification status before heading to the polls. More information about voter ID requirements and how to obtain an ID is available on the Wisconsin Elections Commission website.

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