The Milwaukee Post

April 03, 2015

Milwaukee Post

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DID YOU KNOW? Local news at your fingertips Visit www.gmtoday.com MARK BELLING Fixing "the system" begins with voting in elections Page 8 The right pick for Supreme Court race • The U.S. eastern seaboard consumes almost 50 percent of all ice cream sandwiches. • The Amazon rainforest produces 20 percent of the world's oxygen – Source: Hookedonfacts.com RETAIL DEVELOPMENTS INCREASINGLY TURN TO GROCERS, RESTAURANTS – PAGE 14 STEVE 'THE HOMER' TRUE Showdown with Kentucky will provide answers Page 11 Are the Badgers that special? Like us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/MilwaukeePost Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/MilwaukeePost Voters won't need I.D. at polls Tuesday By DAN MUCKELBAUER Post Editor MILWAUKEE — While voters are asking about voter identifica- tion in the days before Tuesday's elections, it isn't the hot button it was a couple of years ago after it became law and then challenged legally. "People are inquiring," Milwaukee County Clerk Joseph Czarnezki said Monday of voter identification. "A very simple question is 'do I need a voter I.D, to vote?' and the simple answer is no." Wisconsin Attorney General Brad Schimmel advised the law could not be implemented for the spring elections after the Supreme Court choose March 23 not to hear the Wisconsin case, letting the law stand. "The voter identification law hasn't been in effect and I don't think people were anticipating it would be in effect," Czarnezki said about fewer inquiries this time around. Turnout in odd-year elections are usually low and vot- ers' asking about it is also lower, he added. He said that people could expect to show voter I.D. in future elections. Kevin Kennedy, Wisconsin's chief election official, said the Government Accountability Board anticipates special election this year that will require photo I.D. Expect confusion in the mean- time, Milwaukee County Supervisor Khalif Rainey said. "I think that's inevitable that the voter I.D. law will cause confu- sion when they go to the polls. I think you see that nationwide," said Rainey, who has introduced resolutions to broaden voting. Last week, the County Board supported 12-4 a measure to allow 16- and 17-year-olds to vote in school board elections. This week, Rainey called for the requirement of voting in any legislation man- dating drug testing for those receiving public assistance. The Legislature is considering the drug testing requirement. "Voting is the ultimate act of citizenship, and if people receiv- ing assistance are required to take drug tests, then they should also be required to vote," Rainey said. County Supervisor Steve Taylor of Franklin, who voted against it, said, "We have more important things to do than make requests of the state that they rarely fulfill." Rainey admitted he doesn't believe his proposal allowing high school-age youth to vote will get anywhere in the Republican-con- trolled Legislature, which he says has put up barriers to voting, including the voter I.D. law. The measure would create a habit of voting in elections that that would most directly impact young people and foster their turnout in subsequent elections, See VOTING on Page 6 MILWAUKEE COUNTY'S WEEKLY NEWSPAPER APRIL 3, 2015 County looks at increasing participation 241736332 FREE STORAGE! FREE STORAGE! FREE STORAGE! 1st Month with 6 month contract DREXEL SELF STORAGE 500 W. Drexel • Oak Creek 414-617-2109 414-587-0517 243092001

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