Group calls on DOT to extend hours at all DMV locations so voters can get their IDs
MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- Wisconsin's voter ID law has been reinstated, and that means voters will need to provide a photo ID when casting their vote in the general election on November 4th. One group is calling on the Wisconsin Department of Transportation to expand the hours for all DMV locations -- saying if it doesn't do so, thousands of eligible voters could be denied their right to vote on November 4th.
The African-American Civic Engagement Roundtable is calling on the DMV to extend its hours to include evenings and weekends until the November 4th election.
Recently, it was announced that two DMV locations would extend hours to include Saturday mornings. Those locations include:
The African-American Civic Engagement Roundtable is asking that all DMV locations extend hours. In a statement, that organization says:
"Last week, a panel of Republican-appointed judges on the 7th Circuit Court ruled to reinstate Wisconsin's egregious photo identification requirements that could keep 300,000 Wisconsinites from the polls. To make matters worse, they ruled these laws could be implemented for the November 4th election. Recently, it was announced that two local DMV's would extend hours to Saturday Morning.
With just six weeks until the election, many people have not been given adequate time to obtain the documents required to exercise their right to vote. Extending hours of two DMV's will not be enough. More than 60% of the state's DMVs are going to be open only a few days until the election. There are good people in this state who go work or go to school during the day. They deserve the opportunity to get what they need to do their civic duty."
The group has announced a press conference set for Friday afternoon, September 26th at 4:00 p.m. at the DMV on N. Teutonia Avenue.
The African American Roundtable is a coalition of community organizations that are led by or primarily do their work in the African American community. The mission is to improve the quality of life for Wisconsin’s African-American community through civic engagement, education, economic development, access to quality and affordable healthcare and community justice by building long-term political capital through issue-based organizing and coordinated strategic “Get out the Vote” efforts.
CLICK HERE for information on acceptable forms of ID for voting
CLICK HERE for details on what you need to do if you're voting absentee
CLICK HERE for information from the DOT on getting an ID card for voting
CLICK HERE for information on obtaining a FREE state ID for voting
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