Woah. Sorry. I thought it was pretty clear when she said that it goes into effect in 2012. I also clearly spelled it out in the text below the video in this sentence: "Voters who don't have an ID will be handed a flyer explaining the law and that it goes into full effect in February."

I thought the article was clear as well...

That's correct. And that's what the video shows, and the text says. Thanks for helping clarify it.

Thanks, Thurston. That's what I was hoping to get across in this video, but I don't think it was as clear as it could have been. That's why I spelled it out in the text. It's the same text I used in my July 12 pre-election story.

I think it's also worth noting that some parts of the law HAVE gone into effect. Voters who register on Election Day must now prove 28 days residency instead of the 10 days that was previously required. Also, voters are required to sign the voter log. And, I think the video explains that well.

I go to the liquor store to buy a bottle of wine, I must show my ID before I can buy the wine and leave. Is that what you mean jumping through hoops? I agree with the voter ID law, I think it is a necessary step we must take in our elections.

Or to cash a check,buy certain cold meds at a drugstore, get on an airplane....list goes on and on, Jill.

You are correct. To some, all caps is considered " shouting" and rude online etiquette . I am sure Wags knows that.

At 7:40 am, I was voter number 90 at City Hall in that same District. I was, however, told that there were 66 or 67 absentee ballots that were included in that number. Channel 5 news was there at that time.

From early reports throughout the county, it seems like voter turnout is actually down a bit from the Moore-Weix race. Perhaps everyone is waiting until after work today...

Maybe they saw that Daily Kos poll yesterday and figured "why bother?" ;~)

There's been a big uptick in the turnout now. It's looking like it will be a very heavy turnout. There just weren't many voters in the first couple hours, compared to last election. Maybe it was hotter that day or something. Who knows?

I am here to learn...please give me an example of a disenfranchised voter, who can actually function in society without an ID. That would mean not cashing any checks, including SS, and if their checks are direct-deposit, they still needed an ID to open that bank account. How about not being able to check into a clinic or hospital, even if on Medicare/Medicaid, no student ID, no library card. If we are talking about college students, if they are smart enough to go to college, can they not figure out how to obtain an absentee ballot? How do you get a mortgage, or rent an apartment, without an ID? How do you obtain a cell phone, pay your taxes, or sign up for a utility or cable TV? This is a serious question....how do you function in society without some form of ID?

I am a lower income voter and have had a legal ID since I was 16. If I want that bottle of wine I sure won't walk out of the store because they requested to see my ID.The drug dealers were buying over the counter meds to make their illegal drugs and now I need to show an ID to buy allergy meds, would you consider this a partisan law?

I really hope to get an example or two of a 'disenfranchised' voter. And even if there is an anecdote or two out there, is it a case of someone who absolutely has no way to obtain one, or just hasn't figured out the system to get one.

vagabond
All the examples you list apply to people of at least a middle income (the kind of people like you and I), or to people that function "normal" in th eevery days life. However, what is with people that either don't have the funds to get a cellphone, or that cash their checks in those cashing place, or that do not want to have all those things?

I know a person who has absolutely no ID. Her husband handles all the ID required things and she has no need for one. But she can't get that ID because she has no DL and can't get to the DMV office, which is closed when her husband comes home from work. I bet there are many persons around like she or the one without the funds that will not abbe able to vote in the future!

Hudsoner, I would respectfully suggest that your friend may have more pressing issues in her life than who will win this recall election. If she is truly interested in exercising her right (and privilege) to vote, does she not have a friend, neighbor, family member who could take her to obtain an ID? How does she get groceries, get her hair cut, get to a clinic visit, go to church....I'm just saying, there may be excuses for not having an ID, but that doesn't mean she is personally excluded from getting one. As to the middle vs lower income argument, I would suggest that the lower income person is more plugged into the system....social security checks, unemployment checks, WIC, food stamps, rent assistance, Badgercare/Medicaid, student loans...and would need valid ID to receive any one of these services.

H, hopefully you know that yes, you can get a state issued ID without a drivers lisence. Might want to check your facts before making false claims. Just saying.

Vagabond
you are right, everybody could get an ID if one puts ones mind to it. But there are procrastinators, there are people that have a fear of gov.t office, there are many different animals of the human race living in Wisconsin. Until now, they could just go out and vote with as little contact to others as possible. In the future the have to go through some extra hoops just to exercise their constitutional right as a citizen of the US! This might be to much for some and they decide to rather not vote! and all this only because some of the republicans decided to fix a problem that does not exist!

Jill
Come on, give me a break! I live in Hudson since 1983, and never ever have I been asked to show any form of ID in any of the Hudson Liquor that i frequent! How come that you have to show an ID each time you buy a bottle of wine?

Hudsoner, I am glad you agree that it is a matter of choice to get an ID, not a right denied due to income or mental status. For those who are procrastinating, there are approximately 60 weeks before the Nov. 2012 election, and if the DMV is only open 3 days a week, that gives you 840 days to roll in and get your ID - Pick One! For those that have a fear of gov't offices (phobia?), well, I suggest a clinic visit first....but wait, you will be required to produce an ID. H, you present a pretty narrow definition of those who "won't be able to vote" and again, it sounds like maybe with the issues you describe, they have more immediate concerns than who is in office. If they decide they cannot participate, then so be it. They effectively "disenfranchise" themselves.

Excuse my math.....180 days!

The proof of partisan nature of this is simple. Laws restricting voting are never put forward by Democrats because large AND LEGAL turnouts always benefit a party that appeals to populist issues. Republicans are ALWAYS the party that looks to make it harder to vote, because lower turnout is in their favor.
And as far as measurable fraud, if there are 10 cases of bona fide voter fraud every election (which would be a dramatic increase over what has been prosecuted in the past), it would constitute approximately 0.0005% of a low turnout. The ID issue wouldn't seem to solve the "felons" issue, either.
Pardon the rough math, but I believe I have the right number of zeros to the right of the decimal point.
No one should be allowed to vote when they don't have the right to. Voter ID doesn't solve that issue.
It's a misguided application of resources at a time when resources need to be put to their very best use.

Dan, I think if it is true that Republicans have driven the ID issue, it is in response to the numerous examples - typically Democratic - of dirty tricks. Is it wrong to try to insure open and honest elections by setting the very low bar of having to prove you are who you say you are at the polls? My college student in Milwaukee tried to vote in the last election, at the polling site in his dorm. Because his dorm address wasn't his permanent residence, he was urged to go to another polling site, "where they wouldn't check his ID". True story. Imagine that happening hundreds or even thousands of times...the population of students alone at UWM is @30,000. Do you really think each polling place is going to follow thru on charging and prosecuting suspected voter fraud? I just don't see how proof of identity - whether you are getting a job, buying a home, enrolling in school, making a clinic appointment, cashing a check to buy groceries, applying for a library card, getting married, applying for gov't benefits or programs, driving a car, buying alcohol or tobacco, applying for a student loan, paying taxes, OR VOTING - represents a hardship imposed by partisan politicians. The June 2011 Rasmussen poll found 75% of Americans support voter ID - certainly not a minority position.

Hudsoner, I was just stating an example, I don't drink wine, however it is the LAW that you must show proper ID when asked to purchase alcohol, cigs, allergy meds etc.

This implies that there is voter fraud. Many reports/researches from official organisations say that there is no measurable voter fraud. The ID is the solution for a problem that is not existing!
This is a non exiting problem solved to the tune of several million dollars!

Are you sure that when they said "no measurable voter fraud" they didn't mean "no current way to measure voter fraud"?

I suggest we talk instead about today's election. How does the turnout look? What does that mean for each candidate? What are the campaigns doing today to get out the vote? We can revisit this voter ID issue any time before the 2012 elections.

Thanks for the compliment!

And anybody voting for Moore will have all the union representation that their members dues could afford! Anybody not a union member is just getting taken to the cleaners.

Come on, kids, it's finally election day. When do we lay down our arms?

My bad. It's a boring day, what can I say!

We need some diversion while waiting until election results pour in. Here's a question: Who was the first presidential candidate that you voted for?

Mine was, don't laugh if you know me, Ronald Reagan. Must've been my youth and my father's influence over me at that time.

Discuss.

President Ford. It was in college. My reasoning at the point was everyone voting for Carter on campus seemed to be getting a free ride thru some sort of gov't program. There was a free stuff bunch even then!

You crack me up mainstreet. I was on a "Pro Gerald Ford debate team" in middle school and we debated the Pro Carter team before the election and won. Unfortunately, the election didn't go Mr. Ford's way, and I was so upset I don't think I ate for four days. I think my main reason for being on the Ford team was, again, my Dad, and the guy who was putting together the Ford team was pretty good looking. I'm so shallow.