In 2011, Governor Walker signed Act 23, enacting one of the country’s most restrictive voter ID laws. From then on, the Department of Motor Vehicles, under the Department of Transportation, found itself responsible for providing Wisconsin citizens with a crucial document by which they demonstrate their right to vote – a Wisconsin drivers license or state ID.
Unfortunately, this has thrown up huge obstacles for many to exercise their right to vote. Many DMV’s around the country are located far from public transportation; many are only open a few days a week, and only a very few have Saturday hours. Many low-income workers are unable to take time off from work to travel to the nearest DMV during working hours to get their ID.
Non-drivers, including the elderly and many in the disabled community, have a hard time getting to DMV locations off the public transportation path. People in rural areas lacking in public transportation are also hard hit. People of color, students, and Native Americans are most often affected. The result is many Wisconsin voters find themselves disenfranchised because they cannot access the ID they need to vote.
The Wisconsin Voting Rights Coalition, of which WFVJ is a member, is asking people to send letters to the Secretary of Transportation Craig Thompson asking him to increase DMV hours, add Saturday hours, and engage in a public awareness campaign to combat misinformation and educate people on what they need to vote. Please use this letter from the Voting Rights Coalition as a guide to craft your own letter to Secretary Thompson and urge him to implement these common-sense solutions.
Unfortunately, this has thrown up huge obstacles for many to exercise their right to vote. Many DMV’s around the country are located far from public transportation; many are only open a few days a week, and only a very few have Saturday hours. Many low-income workers are unable to take time off from work to travel to the nearest DMV during working hours to get their ID.
Non-drivers, including the elderly and many in the disabled community, have a hard time getting to DMV locations off the public transportation path. People in rural areas lacking in public transportation are also hard hit. People of color, students, and Native Americans are most often affected. The result is many Wisconsin voters find themselves disenfranchised because they cannot access the ID they need to vote.
The Wisconsin Voting Rights Coalition, of which WFVJ is a member, is asking people to send letters to the Secretary of Transportation Craig Thompson asking him to increase DMV hours, add Saturday hours, and engage in a public awareness campaign to combat misinformation and educate people on what they need to vote. Please use this letter from the Voting Rights Coalition as a guide to craft your own letter to Secretary Thompson and urge him to implement these common-sense solutions.
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