State election officials are hoping for a smooth transition at the polls for Wisconsin’s first election with a new Voter ID requirement in place. Today’s primary elections mark the first time Wisconsin voters will need to show a photo ID at the polls.
Reid Magney with the state Government Accountability Board says local officials should be ready and they expect few, if any, problems. He says extensive training efforts have been underway for months to help clerks prepare poll workers. Also, with elections taking place in only about 520 municipalities today, Magney says a low turnout election should help to ease the transition.
As for voters, Magney says they just need to remember to bring their ID with them. The GAB has been running a campaign for months to remind voters about the new law and to instruct them on how to obtain a free photo ID card from the state, if they do not already have one that qualifies.
Anyone who runs in to problems trying to vote or has questions about if their ID is valid is urged to contact the state. The GAB is maintaining an informational website and a hotline, at 1-866-VOTE-WIS (1-866-868-3947).
AUDIO: Andrew Beckett reports (1:13)
