Politics & Government

Will Sudden Change in Voter ID Law Cause Confusion?

On Feb. 21, voters needed a photo ID. Come April, they won't.

Greenfield City Clerk Jennifer Goergen hopes a majority of voters learn of a well in advance of the April 3 election.

Will those who don’t hear the news come to the polls confused, particularly given that the law was in effect during the Feb. 21 primary election?

“It’s hard to say,” Goergen said. “At this point I don’t anticipate a lot of confusion, but that could change. I think it will depend upon how complicated this issue becomes now and how it could change or develop over the course of time leading up to the April election.

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“I think that people who watch the news or read newspapers will likely have heard something about it and wouldn’t be completely surprised.”

Goergen said she is waiting for direction on how to proceed from the Wisconsin Government Accountability Board and will convey the new requirements to voters as she learns of them.

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She’s also waiting for direction regarding the new law that requires voters to sign a poll book before voting. Some ; Goergen believes signing the poll book was a part of Act 23.

“I would think (the Government Accountability Board) would have to make the interpretation as to whether the injunction would also cease signing the poll book,” Goergen said. “That is why clerks need direction.”

Over the last several months, city clerks around the state have been preparing their staffs for new laws such as the one requiring photo IDs, and in Greenfield, Goergen and her crew was faced with .

Throw yesterday’s change into the mix and it’s a wonder why Goergen and others aren’t pulling out their hair.

“It’s never easy, but that’s what makes our jobs rewarding,” Goergen said. “We’ve been dealing with constant change since last fall, so I think we’ve become somewhat accustomed to it. What’s another change added to all of the others we’re still in the process of implementing?”


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