Voter ID Law

Voter Photo ID Law
Frequently Asked Questions

The following FAQ list is taken from the Government Accountability Board’s website.

For a detailed breakdown of the changes to voter law contained within 2011 Wisconsin Act 23 (2011 Assembly Bill 7 or the “Voter ID Bill”) click HERE (PDF 177KB) to obtain a copy of the Wisconsin Legislative Council Act Memo for Voter Photo ID Law.

You can download a copy of the following FAQ HERE (PDF 18KB).

When will I be required to show a photo ID to vote?
Voters at special and recall elections in 2011 will be asked to show a photo ID; however, a photo ID will not be required until the Presidential Preference Primary in the Spring of 2012.  Voters who do not have photo ID for elections in 2011 will be given written information about the requirement in 2012.

What IDs are acceptable?

  • A: Wisconsin DoT-issued driver license
  • A Wisconsin DoT-issued identification card
  • An identification card issued by a U.S. uniformed service
  • A U.S. passport

(Identifications above must be unexpired, or if expired, have expired after the date of the most recent general election.)

  • A certificate of naturalization that was issued not earlier than two years before the date of an election at which it is presented
  • An unexpired driving receipt issued by Wisconsin DoT.
  • An unexpired identification card receipt issued by Wisconsin DoT.
  • An identification card issued by a federally recognized Indian tribe in Wisconsin
  • An unexpired identification card issued by a Wisconsin-accredited university or college that contains the following:
  1. Date of Issuance
  2. Signature of Student
  3. Expiration date not later than two years after Date of Issuance

How do I get a free photo ID to vote?

Wisconsin Act 23 requires the Department of Transportation to provide free ID cards:

  • SECTION 140. 343.50 (5) (a) 3. of the statutes is created to read:  343.50 (5) (a) 3. The department may not charge a fee to an applicant for the initial issuance or reinstatement of an identification card if the applicant is a U.S. citizen who will be at least 18 years of age on the date of the next election and the applicant requests that the identification card be provided without charge for purposes of voting.

For information about the requirements to obtain a Wisconsin ID card, please visit the Department of Transportation website: http://www.dot.wisconsin.gov/drivers/drivers/apply/idcard.htm.

Because of the need to obtain a birth certificate and other documents, voters are urged to start the process early.