By: Associated Press//November 14, 2013//
MADISON, Wis. (AP) — The latest approach to require that voters show photo identification at the polls has passed the Wisconsin state Assembly.
Wisconsin’s current law passed in 2011 but is on hold in court. Assembly Republicans say the new approach passed Thursday on a party line 54-38 vote will strengthen the chances that the law is in effect for the 2014 election.
Democrats oppose the requirement, saying the intent is to dampen turnout among groups more likely to vote Democratic. Republicans say the goal is to prevent voter fraud, even though there have only been a handful of such cases brought forward in Wisconsin.
The bill appears unlikely to become law. Republican Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald said he won’t take it up while the court case over the current law is ongoing.