Several Republicans in the state Assembly are urging the Legislature’s budget panel to approve funding for a statewide Voter ID education effort.
The Government Accountability Board wants $250,000 to help raise awareness about what types of photo ID cards are acceptable at the polls. Assembly Republican Leader Jim Steineke (R-Kaukauna), one of 34 lawmakers listed on a letter urging the Joint Finance Committee to approve the request, said “it’s just about trying to educate the voters to make sure that they’re aware of the requirements…so that everybody has an opportunity to cast a ballot.”
Critics of the law claim numerous people were confused about the law heading into the state’s April 5th presidential primary – sometimes leading to long lines at polling places or preventing some from even trying to vote. The Kaukauna Republican says having more education about the requirement should help to ensure a smoother voting process in November. “In order to address that, we want to make sure there’s a proper amount of education out there,” he said.
The GAB sent the request to JFC earlier this month. A message seeking comment from the co-chairs of the panel was not immediately returned.