Will Sudden Change In Voter ID Law Confuse Voters?

A Dane County judge's decision to temporarily halt the voter identification law could cause confusion for Oak Creek residents going to the polls April 3.

Particularly given that the law was in effect during the last election on Feb. 21, Acting Oak Creek City Clerk Christa Miller said.

"When laws are implemented and then changed or suspended it can cause confusion," she said.

Miller said residents could also confuse the photo ID law injunction with another new law, which is still in effect, that requires voters to sign a poll book.

"These two items are independent of each other as they were brought forth under two different laws," Miller said. "So while voters will not have to comply with the photo ID law, they will still be required to sign the poll book."

The day before an election, officials must attend briefing sessions in which new requirements and election laws are discussed in detail, Miller said. The status of the photo ID law will certainly be among the topics of discussion.

The election April 3 is likely to bring many more voters out to the polls because of the presidential primary on the ballot. Many local races will also be contested, including that for Oak Creek mayor.

Oak Creek during the Feb. 21 primaries, the first election it was in effect.

See this Patch story for more reaction to the voter ID injunction issued Tuesday.