Learn what you need and where to get it
TINA L. SCOTT
EDITOR
To vote in the upcoming Wisconsin Primary Election on Tuesday, Feb. 15, 2022, and the upcoming Spring Election on Tuesday, Apr. 5, 2022, will require a photo ID. The Wisconsin Elections Commission wants residents to know there is no separate “voter ID” and that a federally-compliant REAL ID card is not required for voting purposes in Wisconsin. Residents can use an existing form of photo ID to prove their identity before voting.
Acceptable photo ID
• Wisconsin driver’s license. The most commonly used form of identification for voting purposes is a Wisconsin driver’s license [issued by the Wisconsin Department of Transportation Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV)]. Your Wisconsin driver’s license, with or without a star in the right-hand corner, includes your photo and is the easiest form of photo ID to show at the polling place for most residents. Voters can still use their Wisconsin driver’s license for photo ID even if their driving privileges have been suspended or revoked.
• Wisconsin DOT-issued photo ID card. The next most common form of identification used for voting purposes in Wisconsin is a Wisconsin DOT-issued identification card, with or without a star in the right-hand corner, which is also an acceptable photo ID.
Votors may also show a Military ID card issued by a U.S. uniformed service or their U.S. passport.
On all of these items, the expiration date may be unexpired or expired, as long as that expiration date is after the date of the most recent general election [at this time, the Nov. 3, 2020, election].
Other acceptable photo ID
• An identification card issued by a federally recognized Indian tribe in Wisconsin is also an acceptable photo ID for voting purposes and may be used even if it expired before the most recent general election [Nov. 3, 2020].
• A photo identification card issued by a Wisconsin accredited university or college that contains date of issuance, signature of student, and an expiration date no later than two years after the date of issuance is also an acceptable photo ID for voting and may also be used even if expired before the most recent general election, except that if it is expired, the student must also bring in a separate document that proves current enrollment in the university or college.
• A current, unexpired veteran’s photo identification card issued by the Veterans Health Administration of the federal Department of Veterans Affairs is acceptable for voting purposes.
• A certificate of naturalization that was issued not earlier than two years before the date of an election at which it is presented is also acceptable for voting purposes in Wisconsin.
About that photo
Voters don’t need to get a new photo ID every time they get a new haircut or if they’ve aged a bit.
The photo on your ID should look like you, of course, but even if you’ve lost weight, shaved your beard, or colored your hair, as long as a poll worker looking at your photo ID can identify that it’s you, it will work.
You should also know that, for voting purposes, the address on your photo ID doesn’t need to be current, and the name on the ID doesn’t need to be an exact match for your name as it is shown in the local polling book. For instance, if your name is Susan, but it is shown as Sue on your driver’s license and listed as Susan in the polling book, that is still acceptable. Common name abbreviations, such as Bob instead of Robert, Bill instead of William, and Jim instead of James, and similar abbreviations, are all acceptable.
Getting a new photo ID
For voters obtaining their first photo ID, the Wisconsin DMV can help. Go to: wisconsindmv.gov/idcards. The site explains what documents are necessary to bring to the DMV and how to make an appointment to get a new photo ID.
Certain documents, such as a birth certificate and proof of identity and Wisconsin residency, are necessary to obtain an official Wisconsin ID card. If all documentation is not readily available, the ID Petition Process can be used to obtain a receipt valid for voting while the remaining documents or verifications are obtained. The voter should bring any documentation available to the DMV and complete the required application. Then a receipt valid for voting purposes will be provided and can be used to show at the polls. A temporary identification card receipt issued by Wisconsin DOT through the Identification Petition Process (IDPP) is valid for 60 days. A driving receipt issued by Wisconsin DOT is valid for 45 days and an identification card receipt issued by Wisconsin DOT is also valid for 45 days.
DMV offers the IDPP and ID card for voting purposes free of charge. Anyone who doesn’t have an ID to vote in the Spring Election should start the process now.
Getting a replacement photo ID
The Wisconsin DMV can also help replace a lost ID or driver’s license. This can be done online.
To replace a DMV issued ID, go to: wisconsindmv.gov/id. To replace a Wisconsin driver’s license, go to: wisconsindmv.gov/DL-online.
Exceptions
A Wisconsin DOT-issued identification card or driver license without a photo issued under the religious exemption is also acceptable for voting purposes.
More information
For questions about obtaining an ID to vote, call the DMV’s toll-free voter hotline at 844.588.1069. Questions regarding voter eligibility, poll locations, voter registration information, or other election information can be directed to the Wisconsin Elections Commission: https://elections.wi.gov/