Judge orders state to clarify voting credential

MADISON -- A federal judge has ordered the state to produce documents that clearly explain Wisconsin's system for getting voting credentials to people who lack photo identification.

U.S. District Judge James Peterson ordered the Department of Transportation on Thursday to produce a one-page explanation of the process as well as a document applicants can take away explaining what happens. He ordered that the documents be distributed to media, voting groups and municipal clerks. He wants those documents ready for distribution on Monday.

He also ordered state attorneys and lawyers with liberal advocacy group One Wisconsin Institute to develop a public information campaign on the credential process by the end of next week.

Peterson issued the order in the wake of media reports that showed Division of Motor Vehicles workers have been giving people erroneous information about how the credentialing process works.