Wis. voter ID law ‘no big deal’ for Spring primary

LA CROSSE, Wis. (WKBT) — The Wisconsin Government Accountability Board estimated 10 percent of registered voters in Wisconsin to cast a ballot in the Spring Primary Election on Tuesday.

At the 7th District polling location in La Crosse, Cheryl Vieth said voter turnout was around the 10 percent, and that was OK because it allowed time to adjust to the new voter I.D. law.

“So it’s a good process for them to get used to to bring the right, correct, information to the voting place,” Veith said.

Veith said the process was simple and her polling location saw no issues.

The same was true for voting staff in Onalaska.

“Everybody seems very much aware, I think there’s been enough publicity,” election inspector Sharon Mahlum said.

A few local voters had the same feeling.

“If you have an ID already then it’s pretty simple. You just show them your form of identification and they take care of the rest,” Courtney Kirker said.

“Nope, I normally have my drivers license on me so nothing different,” Lee Worrell said.

Mahlum said voter turnout was better than expected at her polling location at the Onalaska Armory, and she’s thankful of that because it allowed election officials to know what they’re up against for the two big elections later this year.

“Today has been kind of a training field. In April it will be a lot more busy and that will help a lot,” Mahlum said.

Because the presidential preference in April and the presidential election in November will have a much higher voter turnout rate, election officials worry the new voter I.D. law will slow down lines to cast a ballot. They recommend a voter has their I.D. out of their pocket or purse ready to go when they walk in the door. That will help move the process along.

The presidential primary in Wisconsin takes place on April 5.