Wisconsin’s requirement for photo identification to vote is illegal because the state’s voting criteria can be changed only by constitutional amendment, an attorney challenging the statute told the state Supreme Court.
“The Legislature can establish how, when and where voting occurs,” said Lester Pines,a lawyer for the League of Women Voters. “But it cannot legislate who can vote.” That must be done by a constitutional amendment passed in two successive sessions of the Legislature and then approved by voters, Pines said Tuesday in Madison, the state capital.
The league and the Milwaukee Branch of the NAACP sued separately to block thelaw, which they claim puts an unconstitutional burden on the right to vote.
Fourteen states have laws requiring photo identification to vote, according to the National Conference of State Legislators. Wisconsin is one of five in which the statutes haven’t yet been implemented or are in various stages of litigation.
Front Section, Pages 7 on 02/26/2014