Will Doyle and Lawton Stand in the Way of Common-sense Election Reform?

(MADISON) – By a nearly 2 to 1 margin, the Wisconsin Assembly has passed Assembly Bill 111 -- legislation that would require prospective voters to show a state-issued photo ID at the polls.

Republican Party of Wisconsin (RPW) Chairman Rick Graber hailed Thursday evening’s 60 – 34 vote, calling it a key victory in the battle against election fraud. Graber pointed out that 4 Democrats joined 56 Republicans to support AB 111.

“This is simple, common-sense reform that would help prevent our open election system from being exploited,” Graber said. “The intent of this bill is to keep felonies from being committed at the polls – a goal that deserves support from those on both sides of the aisle.”

Assuming the bill is also approved in the state Senate, Graber expressed concern about Gov. James E. Doyle’s position on preventing election fraud.

Doyle served as attorney general before being elected governor last November with a mere 45% of the vote. After the 2000 elections, in which at least 361 felons illegally voted in Milwaukee County alone, Doyle’s Department of Justice issued a bizarre legal opinion that claimed the felons could not be prosecuted if they didn’t know they had broken the law. The legal opinion prompted Milwaukee County District Attorney E. Michael McCann to pass on prosecuting felons for voting, even though they were legally ineligible.

“As attorney general, James E. Doyle worked against an effort to bring these felons to justice,” Graber commented. “It remains to be seen whether Governor Doyle realizes the importance of taking a stand against the unscrupulous types who attempt to hijack our elections.”

Graber also pointed out that Lt. Gov. Barbara Lawton recently spoke out against the voter ID at a legislative committee hearing, saying, “You would discriminate against people for their economic circumstances…this is a false set of hoops to put before potential voters.” (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 3/7/03)

“Unfortunately, Barbara Lawton is putting forward a false argument,” Graber said. “AB 111 would provide a photo ID free of charge to anyone who cannot afford it. This is neither a poll tax nor an attempt to limit voting – it is merely one way to prevent felony misconduct.”

Graber added that less than .03% of Wisconsin’s voting population is without a driver’s license.

“Wisconsin has a golden opportunity to protect one of our most precious rights as American citizens – the right of one person, one vote,” Graber said. “Passage of the voter ID bill is a major step in the right direction.”

The emphasis is mine. This is an important step in cleaning up Wisconsin elections and bears watching as the bill wends it way through the Senate and to see if the Democrat Governor vetos the final bill. All attempts to tighten voting restrictions so that people vote only once per election in Wisconsin have failed in recent years. It is outrageous that this problem hasn't been cleaned up years ago and shamful that only 4 Democrats voted for this.

Has this passed the state senate yet?

No, see 4th paragraph. "Assuming the bill passes the Senate..." I'm sure it will be introduced soon, however. I think the plan is to embarass Doyle into signing -- but I don't think he is capable of being embarassed, after that dopey decision regarding the 2000 voter fraud.

I could be wrong, however, since even McCann seems upset about the fraud with the Holloway absentee ballots in Milwaukee last week.

I've lived in Wisconsin for four years now, having moved here from Liberal Lala Land California (which we hated). One reason we moved here was the low crime rate, and because it is rated as one of the best places to live in the country. Imagine our surprise when we got here to learn that Liberal Madison and UW group dictate to the rest of the state what kind of society they are going to live in. Even after the recent elections when Republicans took control of both the Assembly and Senate, we were saddled with a corrupt ex-AG Liberal as Gov, and a ultra-liberal new AG, and a Lt. Gov who is to the left of Barbara Streisand. They GOT in office precisely due to the fraudulent voting going on in the OTHER liberal enclave - Milwaukee. Doyle campaign folks were going around offering wine and cigarettes and meals to homeless folks and taking them to the polls to vote. Fact. Dead people voted. Fact. Felons voted. Fact. All endorsed by Doyle campaign folks. Is it any wonder he now is reluctant to abolish the corrupt methods which put him in office?
These folks admire California. They want to turn Wisconsin into another California complete with all the agendas and hokey social policies that state has. Four years ago gunshot wounds were results of hunting accidents. Thanks to their inviting "diversity" and working hard to disarm lawful citizens while kowtowing to the criminal element we now over the last year have a drastic increase in murder, rape, violent crime, home break ins, muggings, and the beginnings of gang activity.
They should be congratulated......those are all the things we THOUGHT we had left behind in California, brought about by California's twisted liberal concept of values. They certainly seem to be accomplishing making Wisconsin a min-Cali.
Oh, and the leading Democratic Senator for Wisconsin? Under indictment for 41 felony counts of bribery and misuse of office.
And you wonder WHY Doyle and company are against making the election process one with more integrity?

I had discussed this with the state senator from our area last week and asked her if I was dreaming?

She responded something like..."no you're not dreaming, we're going to get this passed...the dream will be if Doyle doesn't veto it!"

I'm hoping for an override if that happens, but quite honestly, I don't see too many democrats voting for this, unless there are enough from smaller communities that aren't dependent on the minority vote to be re-elected.

There are more than enough "Up NOrth" Democrats to pass the bill through the Senate.

OTOH, Doyle has no conscience whatsoever. He is counting on a VERY muted business community (he's still NOT increasing taxes) when it comes to a showdown.

In all other regards, remember that Doyle is a power-mad egoist whose interests will prevail over those of the State of Wisconsin.

And he's not afraid to use his State Capitol police to make you understand...

I'm not worried about the bill passing...I'm worried about enough for a veto override...do you think there are enough, since that seems inevitable? We're down here in the "belly of the voter fraud beast" so it's difficult to gauge.

Also, having seen the manipulation job done to get formerly "anti-gambling expansion" demonrats to change their minds on that issue, I have no confidence in an override on this one at all.

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