In a stunningly fast decision, a federal appeals court in Chicago reinstated Wisconsin’s voter photo identification law on Friday, September 12, 2014 — just hours after three Republican appointed judges heard arguments on reactivating the hotly debated law in time for the November election. In a brief order, a three judge panel of the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals in Chicago said, “The State of Wisconsin may, if it wishes … enforce the photo ID requirement in this November’s elections.” Wisconsin officials wasted no time in saying they would do just that. Under the 2011 measure, those arriving at polling stations must produce a government- issued ID with a photo to vote. Because of legal challenges, the requirement had not been enforced since the February 2012 primary. Wisconsin’s Republican governor, Scott Walker, heralded the court’s decision as a victory for his state. “Voter ID is a common sense reform that protects the integrity of our voting process,” he said in a statement released by his office. “Today’s ruling makes it easier to vote and harder to cheat.” However many local civil rights organizations expressed their disappointment and outrage in the decision. The Milwaukee Branch NAACP president James H. Hall, Jr., released a statement saying, ” NAACP still believes it is a bad law and a discriminatory law and has the potential to disenfranchise many individuals who otherwise would be voters.” The ACLU of Wisconsin said, “We are very disappointed in the irresponsible decision to lift the injunction against Voter ID, which will cause chaos and disruption for voters and elections workers for the November election. The state has not demonstrated it is prepared to make this new ID scheme work. The new procedures were presented at the last second and it is unclear whether or how they will work in time to ensure that eligible voters are actually able to vote. It has not demonstrated how it will train 1,852 municipal clerks and tens of thousands of poll workers, as well as notifying voters of the new rules. We will continue to review and closely monitor this decision.” Many local politicians echoed the same sentiments. In a press release by Rep. Gwen Moore she said, “I am disappointed and appalled that Republican-appointed judges on the Court of Appeals for the 7th Circuit are permitting Governor Walker’s discriminatory voter ID law to go forward. The decision is even more frustrating knowing that the preeminent judge on the 7th Circuit, Judge Richard Posner, has publicly stated his mistake in supporting voter ID laws in the past, calling them ‘a type of law now widely regarded as a means of voter suppression rather than of fraud prevention.’ I agree with Judge Posner and firmly believe that the Wisconsin voter ID law is meant to suppress voter participation.” Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett echoed Moore’s sentiments by saying, “We think this is a step back in time to the era prior to the Voting Rights Act that established fairness in elections. We continue to advocate with the legislature to encourage voter participation, not discourage it. There is a disparity in the population that will be most affected—people in poverty, students and seniors.” Many also worried the bid to implement the law less than two months before the Nov. 4 election would cause confusion among election officials and voters. To combat those fears both elected officials and civil rights organizations have promised to do what they can to encourage people to sign up for a proper ID to be eligible to vote. “While it is just 45 days prior to the election, with an anticipated voter turnout comparable to a presidential election, the City of Milwaukee will be prepared and do everything to ensure its residents still have a smooth voting experience,” said Mayor Barrett in his statement. The Milwaukee Branch NAACP also has pledged to do whatever it takes to get as many voters who are eleigible to vote the proper ID and to the polls in November. “We will continue to represent disenfranchised persons and advocate for their voting rights. This may include assisting them to get identification, filing administrative appeals where appropriate or possibly pursuing other litigation. Most importantly, all must register and vote in the November election. Every effort must be made to overcome hurdles to get the required identification in a timely manner in order to vote in the November election,” said president James Hall, Jr.
to suppress voter participation.” Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett echoed Moore’s sentiments by saying, “We think this is a step back in time to the era prior to the Voting Rights Act that established fairness in elections. We continue to advocate with the legislature to encourage voter participation, not discourage it. There is a disparity in the population that will be most affected—people in poverty, students and seniors.” Many also worried the bid to implement the law less
than two months before the Nov. 4 election would cause confusion among election officials and voters. To combat those fears both elected officials and civil rights organizations have promised to do what they can to encourage people to sign up for a proper ID to be eligible to vote. “While it is just 45 days prior to the election, with an anticipated voter turnout comparable to a presidential election, the City of Milwaukee will be prepared and do everything to ensure its residents
still have a smooth voting experience,” said Mayor Barrett in his statement. The Milwaukee Branch NAACP also has pledged to do whatever it takes to get as many voters who are eleigible to vote the proper ID and to the polls in November. “We will continue to represent disenfranchised persons and advocate for their voting rights. This may include assisting them to get identification, filing administrative appeals where appropriate or possibly pursuing other litigation. Most importantly, all must register and vote in the November election. Every effort must be made to overcome hurdles to get the required identification in a timely manner in order to vote in the November election,” said president James Hall, Jr.
