Every Republican in the Wisconsin Legislature voted to advance the constitutional amendment on voter ID to the April ballot, aligning with the overwhelming majority of Wisconsinites who support the measure, according to multiple polls. In stark contrast, every Democrat in both the Assembly and Senate opposed the amendment, despite polling showing strong bipartisan support for voter ID among voters, including a significant portion of Democrats. This sharp partisan divide highlights a growing disconnect between Democratic lawmakers and their constituents, as voter ID continues to be one of the most popular and widely supported election reforms across the state.
The voter ID referendum, scheduled to be voted on April 1, represents a pivotal moment for election integrity in Wisconsin. If passed, it would codify voter ID requirements into state law, ending legal resistance to implementing the Scott Walker-era law. Supporters argue that voter ID ensures fairness, protects against fraud, and establishes uniform election practices.
The debate over voter ID laws is also intensifying ahead of the pivotal Wisconsin Supreme Court race and the statewide referendum on April 1. Liberal Supreme Court candidate Susan Crawford, who previously led a legal challenge to overturn the state’s voter ID law in 2011, has voiced strong opposition to the policy. Her conservative opponent, Brad Schimel, stands in stark contrast, defending voter ID as a critical safeguard for election integrity based on his experience as Wisconsin’s Attorney General.
Voter ID remains one of the most popular election reforms across Wisconsin and nationwide. Polling consistently show overwhelming bipartisan support, with nearly all Republicans (95%) and a strong majority of Democrats (69%) favoring photo ID requirements to vote. A recent Gallup poll mirrored these findings, with 79% of Americans supporting voter ID as a commonsense measure to ensure election integrity. Despite this widespread approval, partisan differences remain in how strongly the policy is embraced, as seen in a 26-point gap between Republican and Democratic support.
Governor Tony Evers has remained notably silent on the issue. Evers, who has a record of opposing voter ID in principle, appears to recognize its popularity and have opted to remain silent as he ponders whether he will run for re-election in 2026.
During the legislative debate, few Democrats addressed the substance of voter ID itself. Instead, their arguments focused on criticizing the Republican majority for prioritizing election integrity over other issues.