While problems and irregularities in voting have occurred statewide in recent years, they have been particularly pronounced at Milwaukee polling places — including Marquette's Alumni Memorial Union.

A bill requiring voters to present valid Wisconsin state photo IDs at polling places passed the state legislature but is meeting a promised veto from Gov. Jim Doyle. Another, lesser known bill would make Election Day a state holiday in Wisconsin for presidential and gubernatorial elections, sponsored by state Rep. Joseph Parisi (D – Madison).

Wisconsin has exceptionally open rules for voter eligibility. At present, people may present written proof of residency and register to vote on Election Day itself. Such an open process allows for exceptionally high turnout in Wisconsin. In the 2004 election about 72 percent of eligible voters went to the polls.

While it may be much to say the ID law would jeopardize Wisconsin's participation in the democratic process, it would compromise the ability of certain groups of people — notably, college students — to go to the polls in Wisconsin. The last thing people in our age group need is an excuse not to vote. In addition, roughly 120,000 of Wisconsin's 5 million residents don't possess a legal photo ID because they don't regularly drive. Many of them are senior citizens, society's most active voters, and the segment of the population most in need of assistance to understand voting regulations. The cost of registering for a driver's license may act as a de facto barrier to members of society who may be in greatest need of the powerful self-expression that voting provides.

The Election Day holiday provides the opportunity for the state to deal more effectively with voter chaos and would actually encourage greater voter turnout. A state holiday would give people more options as to when they go to the polls and allow people to take more time at the polls. It benefits people whose involved jobs or shift work would otherwise prevent them from going to the polls and could benefit the lower middle class considerably.

While it would most likely not benefit some aspects of society, namely third shift workers who would need to sacrifice valuable sleep to go to the polls, there is at least a tangible benefit to some aspects of society. More people would be free to volunteer to work at polling places, assisting in the vote efforts or as independent observers. For these reasons, we endorse an Election Day holiday in Wisconsin and not the Photo ID bill.

This endorsement is made from the reality of witnessing quagmire at Milwaukee polling places. The main problem does not stem from election law, but from the task of volunteers taking the votes of about 3 million people.

Forcing students to provide Wisconsin photo IDs would only increase logistical problems on Election Day. Giving the state a day off and increasing the volunteers who can work at polling places would allow for effective management of polling places and let the volunteers catch those who are abusing the process.

This editorial appeared in The Marquette Tribune on April 28 2005.