MADISON, Wis. (AP) - The Latest on court maneuverings in challenges to Wisconsin’s voter photo identification law (all times local):
4:05 p.m.
A state Department of Transportation spokeswoman says a report of agency employees refusing to issue temporary IDs for voting is concerning and the agency intends to comply with a federal judge’s order for a review of procedures.
The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and The Nation reported Thursday that Division of Motor Vehicles employees refused to issue a temporary ID to a man because he lacked a birth certificate and workers at other DMV offices are giving a wide range of answers about how to obtain one and how long it will take.
U.S. District Judge James Peterson ordered the state Friday to investigate the allegations.
DOT spokeswoman Patricia Mayer says the stories aren’t consistent with DMV protocol. She says DOT has already started an investigation and will report findings to Peterson as ordered.
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3:45 p.m.
Spokespeople for the state Justice and Transportation departments say they’re looking over a civil liberties group’s allegations that transportation officials aren’t issuing temporary identification for voting as promised.
The American Civil Liberties Union argued in court filings Friday that transportation officials haven’t followed through on a pledge that anyone who lacks supporting documents to obtain an ID from a Division of Motor Vehicles office can obtain a temporary voting ID. The ACLU demands the 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals allow people who lack IDs to vote with affidavits or invalidate Wisconsin’s voter ID law completely.
Spokespeople for both the Justice and Transportation departments issued statements Friday saying only that they’re reviewing the filings.
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1:05 p.m.
A federal judge has ordered the state to investigate whether transportation officials have been denying people temporary photo identification to vote.
U.S. District Judge James Peterson issued the order Friday. Peterson in July ordered the state to quickly issue credentials valid for voting to anyone trying to obtain a free photo ID for voting but lack the underlying documents such as birth certificates.
The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and The Nation reported Thursday that state transportation officials refused to issue a temporary ID to a man because he lacked a birth certificate.
Peterson’s order Friday requires the state to investigate the allegations and report back to him by Oct. 7.
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12:25 p.m.
A civil liberties group says the state Department of Transportation isn’t issuing temporary identification for voting as promised.
The American Civil Liberties Union argued in court filings Friday that the agency hasn’t followed through on a pledge that anyone who lacks the proper supporting documents to obtain a state photo ID card can obtain a temporary ID for voting if they visit a Division of Motor Vehicles office and begin a petition process for obtaining a card with whatever documentation they have.
The ACLU alleges the DMV has failed to tell applicants the petition process exists, applicants have had to make multiple visits to DMV posts and workers incorrectly told people they need proof of identity to initiate the process.
A DOT spokeswoman didn’t immediately return a message.
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