Federal judge strikes down Wisconsin voter ID law
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In the case of Frank vs. Walker, regarding the constitutionality of Wisconsin's 2011 voter ID statute, a federal judge has struck down the law. The decision can be found here. A few excerpts follow.
On voter fraud:
The evidence at trial established that virtually no voter impersonation occurs in Wisconsin. The defendants could not point to a single instance of known voter impersonation occurring in Wisconsin at any time in the recent past... [p.11]
On the public confidence in the electoral system:
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As [expert witness] Professor Minnite testified, the publicity surrounding photo ID legislation creates the false perception that voter-impersonation fraud is widespread, thereby needlessly undermining the public's confidence in the electoral process... [p. 18]
On the class barriers to obtaining the necessary ID:
...it is likely that a substantial number of the 300,000 plus voters who lack a qualifying ID will be deterred from voting... particularly those who are low income... [p. 37]
In conclusion:
...because the state's interest in safeguarding confidence in the electoral process is evenly distributed... that interest cannot provide a sufficient justification for the burdens placed on the right to vote... invalidating Act 23 is the only practicable way to remove the unjustified burdens placed on the substantial number of eligible voters who lack IDs. [pp. 38-39]
Find the rest here.
