Wisconsin Senate Advances Voter ID Amendment

The Wisconsin Senate, controlled by Republicans, has passed a proposed constitutional amendment to enshrine voter ID laws in the state constitution, moving the measure to the Assembly for a vote. The GOP aims to have this amendment on the April ballot, coinciding with a significant state Supreme Court election that could impact future rulings on voter ID laws. Supporters argue that the amendment will protect election integrity and prevent potential liberal court decisions from overturning existing laws. Critics, including Democratic lawmakers, argue that the amendment is politically motivated and could disenfranchise voters, especially those without easy access to identification. The proposal's prioritization over issues like school safety and gun violence has drawn sharp criticism from Democrats. If passed by the Assembly and approved in April, this amendment would solidify the voter ID requirement in Wisconsin's constitution, making it difficult to reverse.