Learn About New Voter ID Law At Informational Session

Election experts from the Government Accountability Board will be in South Milwaukee later this month to speak about Wisconsin's new voter ID law.

The meeting, hosted by the South Milwaukee city clerk's office, will be held from 6-7:30 p.m. Jan. 19 in the city administrative building, 2424 15th Ave.

Not only does the law require voters to show an acceptable photo ID, it also contains other important changes to the voting process, including a longer, 28-consecutive-day residency period and a requirement for voters to sign the poll list.

"These are the most significant changes to Wisconsin's elections since 18-year-olds won the right to vote in 1971," said Kevin Kennedy, Wisconsin's chief elections officer, in a news release. "There are also important exceptions in the laws, which are not widely understood, for some absentee voters who are indefinitely confined for health reasons or who vote by mail on a consistent basis."

The presentation will cover acceptable forms of identification and how residents can get a free state ID card if they don't have one. The GAB staff has produced a wide range of educational materials explaining the photo ID law, which will be distributed at the meeting.

Voters are also encouraged to visit the GAB's website for information about the new law. The first election at which a photo ID will be required is Feb. 21.