Groups challenging voter ID law contesting state plan

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MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Groups challenging Wisconsin’s voter identification law in court say the state’s plan for additional instruction before Election Day isn’t enough.

U.S. District Judge James Peterson this month approved a state Department of Transportation plan to clarify how people who lack a photo ID can get an alternative voting credential.

The decision comes following media reports showing Division of Motor Vehicle employees were giving people inaccurate information about what documents they needed and how long it would take to get credentials.

The court-approved plan includes handouts and website clarifications. Lawsuit plaintiffs wanted mobile Division of Motor Vehicle units, educational billboards outside Milwaukee and direct outreach to people who previously were denied IDs, Wisconsin Public Radio reported (http://bit.ly/2eMY2ih ).

“It remains disappointing that even after being called out in federal court for its behavior, Gov. (Scott) Walker’s administration continues to fail legal Wisconsin voters,” said Scot Ross, executive director of One Wisconsin Institute, one of the plaintiffs. “The question today is not, ‘Can Gov. Walker’s administration take more steps to try to prevent legal voters from being disenfranchised?’ but ‘Why won’t it?'”

The state argued in court documents that mobile DMVs are “not technologically feasible this close to Election Day” and that billboards are “not an efficient use of limited resources.”

Peterson said Monday he will issue an order regarding the plan’s contested elements in a few days.